Scotland’s approach to spiritual care is a model that is recognised and respected across the world. Building on current guidance, spiritual care in Scotland has made significant developments which have contributed to its global reputation for excellent and pioneering service delivery in this area of care.

Historically, spiritual care and religious care were one and the same, but that is no longer the case. Spiritual care is there to help all who need it, regardless of their personal faith, beliefs of life stance. Spiritual care doesn’t fit easily into traditional models of care and, at times, in our modern world some may struggle to see or understand the relevance of spiritual care in our health and social care system.

Spiritual care supports people by acknowledging hopes and fears and building resilience to cope with challenging and changing circumstances. Spiritual care helps us to connect to deeply held values and beliefs which inform our life, our work and our relationships. It is in the context of such relationships that questions around change, identity, illness and loss can be explored. It enables carers and those cared for to walk together as companions, supporting each other when life is raw and painful or our certainties are shaken. Such mutually beneficial and respectful relationships must be at the heart of our health and social care system,