Launch of Inverness Inter Faith Group with an inspiring lecture on the new context of spiritual care in today’s NHS
Issued on behalf of the Inverness Inter Faith Group
Launch of Inverness Inter Faith Group with an inspiring lecture on the new context of spiritual care in today’s NHS
The Inverness Inter Faith Group is marking its launch on Monday 7 December with a presentation by Geoff Lachlan, former Consultant General Surgeon at the Belford Hospital, Fort William. The presentation is to be held in the Centre for Health Science, Raigmore Hospital Campus, Inverness, at 6.30 pm and is open to the public.
The theme will be an exploration of the concept of religion and belief within the context of healthcare in Scotland today. It will review the positive link between spirituality and health, with some findings from recent research studies. The purpose is to demonstrate why spiritual care matters in today’s NHS.
Geoff Lachlan worked in Kenya with the Church of Scotland for seven years before moving to the Highlands post. He then studied at the London School of Oriental and African Studies to obtain an MA in the Study of Religions, and worked with the Scottish Inter Faith Council in collaboration with the NHS Healthcare Chaplains and Equality/Diversity teams to produce the document Religion and Belief Matter – An Information Resource for Healthcare Staff. He recently completed a joint project with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the commonality between Faith and Belief, involving ten different faith communities and the Humanist Society.
Dr Reddy, present Chair of the Inverness Inter Faith Group, stated that this would be a good opportunity for Inverness Communities to contribute to Scottish Inter Faith Week even though the week designated this year is in late November. The Inverness Group has representatives from different faith groups - Bahá’í, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian members. In July there was a picnic at Whin Park shared with the Skye Inter Faith Group, which was so successful that other groups around Scotland are now planning their own.
Those interested to know more about the Group and its activities can contact – M/s Rosemary MacKinnon (rosemary.mackinnon@highland.gov.uk) or Dr Reddy (email – trreddy8@hotmail.com).