Hospital staff struggle to accommodate patients’ religious beliefs

HOSPITALS are crying out for help in caring for patients whose religious or cultural beliefs rule out certain medical procedures and practices.

A report found medical and support staff, such as chaplains and caterers, were often at sea when faced with patients with strict beliefs that did not fit into the general ethos of the hospital or healthcare setting concerned.

Examples included the recent cases where hospitals went to court to secure the right to carry out blood transfusions on patients from the Jehovah’s Witness faith who believe God forbids them to receive blood.