Re: Article Nov. 5, by Vikki Hopes, "Bring back spiritual care funds."
Bravo to Rev. Dr Hans Kouwenberg for bringing attention to the importance of spiritual care, the position of spiritual care practitioner and the ongoing work of the mainly volunteers at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Perrie Peverall was the Spiritual Care Practitioner at ARHCC and is now focused on her specialized training at Langley Memorial Hospital. The residents of Abbotsford, faith groups, patients and staff at ARHCC will without a doubt be at a loss without the specialized training required in administering, training new volunteers and visiting those who are in great need of specialized spiritual care. Spiritual care in any medical institution is not just for patients but available to all staff, in-line workers and doctors.
Where do we go from here? We the residents of Abbotsford need to rise up and let Fraser Health, your local MLA and the Minister of Health know that this is just not good enough and we need a full-time spiritual care practitioner at ARHCC funded by Fraser Health as part of the holistic care model.
Richard Hay
Abbotsford