Hospital Chaplaincy - April 2009 Evan Harris and Elspeth Desmond

The National Secular Society is calling for the church to fund hospital chaplains and for the NHS to focus on medical services.

The organisation for non-believers says chaplains cost the NHS around £32m a year, which would be better spent on nurses or cleaning staff.

Dr Evan Harris, an honorary associate of the National Secular Society, and former hospital chaplain Richenda Leigh, discussed the issues.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• evan harris
• elspeth desmond
• hospital chaplain

[mattwardman]

I'd need convincing that such monopolisation exists, and that others are excluded.

[MrCFruitfly]

It is clearly wrong for the NHS to be funding this. If Chaplains want to offer their religion in hospitals, they should do it on a voluntary basis.

[karezza6]

Evan Harris - creepy liberal.

[Ellie8969]

@karezza6 Karezza6 - A commenter too dumb to address any of the issue raised so has to rely on childish and irrelevant ad hominems. Grow up.

[vjohn82]

The question is whether the NHS should pay for this religious monopolisation of counselling services. The answer is a clear no.

[sam99foster]

richenda leigh has a terrifying fixed religious grin.

[MerrySukey]

@kpman Hoorah!

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

the taxpayer pays for the NHS. I pay for people to be treated for self-inflicted illnesses and sickness ie. having their stomach pumped for free after going binge drinking. THis is the nature of socialised systems. The taxpayers WILL have to pay for things they do not approve of. Get over it.

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

"Discriminates against those who aren't religious."

Come on! Grow up Evan.

Listen pal, you know fine well that you would complain even if the government paid counselors were walking round hospitals as well. Chaplins comfort people who are and who aren't religious, so stop generalising all of the time.

Ah well, clearly your constituency agree with you..... LOL

[kpman]

Bye bye Evan Harris MP!