Board Members

Board Members

The board is made up as follows:

  • Six representative directors (ex-officio) consisting of the most senior honorary office-holders/representatives of ACPG, AHPCC, CHCC, NIHCA, SPLG (Scottish  Professional Leadership Group for Spiritual Care) and WCF (Welsh Chaplaincy Forum); 
  • Eight professional directors
  • Six lay members
  • The Chair and Secretary are appointed by the Board. 

The Board may also co-opt up to four non-voting members.

The UKBHC Recruitment policy can be accessed here.

Profiles for some board members can be accessed by clicking on individual names.

Current Board Membership

Sarah Crane (Chair)
Derek Johnston (Secretary)
Claudia Francis (Treasurer)
Allison Dean (Interim Registrar) – Please Note: The Registrar is an officer of the board, reports to the Board and is in attendance at Board meetings but does not have voting rights.

Professional Representative Directors (Ex-Officio)

ACGP – Sarah Giffen
AHPCC – Jill Thornton
CHCC Sarah Crane
NIHCA – Michael McMillan
Scottish Professional Leadership Group for Spiritual Care (SPLG) – Dawn Allan
Welsh Chaplaincy Forum (WFC) – Benjamin Tugwell

Lay Directors
Linda Ross
Lorna Jones
Martin Garrity
Michael Rowe
Charles Kingdon
Lay director – Vacant

Professional Directors


Academic standardsDerek Fraser
Professional advisors – Philip Wright
Professional ConductPaul Nash
Professional registration – Janelle Kingham
Communication & engagement – Mark Newitt
PSA – Graeme Bell
Governance and risk – Elizabeth Allison
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala

Co-opted (non-voting) Members 

Mark Evans – National Spiritual Care Strategic Advisor Operational Lead Scotland
Andrew Todd – Academic Adviser
Observer: Chaplaincy Forum Chair
Observer: NPSRCH Chair

Articles of Association and Standing Orders

On 11th September 2015 The UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy was registered with Companies house as UKBHC Ltd,  a Private Company Limited by Gurantee.  The Articles of Association detail the format of the company and the Board has published Standing Orders (2015) that outline the workings of the Board.  The Standing Orders are available to download below.

Attachment                                                                         Size

Standing Orders of UKBHC Ltd September 2020

Articles of Association UKBHC Ltd.  

Professional Associations

UKBHC exists to support the work of the four professional chaplaincy bodies in the UK, the Scottish Professional Leadership Group for Spiritual Care (SPLG), and the Welsh Chaplaincy Forum (WCF).

The board was formed through a Memorandum of Understanding which gave the Board powers to pursue the objects contained in its Standing Orders and in particular to work towards professional registration of Healthcare Chaplaincy.  The four professional bodies are as follows:

The Association of Chaplaincy in General Practice Primary Care Chaplaincy, is a body in the UK which complements the care given to patients and can reduce the demand on other services.  The ACGP exists to:

  • Define and raise awareness of best practice in Primary Care Chaplaincy.
  • Enable the development of Chaplaincy in General Practice for the wellbeing of the public through providing advice, training, resources and research.
  • Support those involved with GP Chaplaincy.

For further information and links go to the ACGP web-site.


The Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains
is the UK body which exists to promote good standards among chaplains/spiritual care professionals involved in the pastoral and spiritual care of people facing death from a life threatening illness, as they seek to:

  • Assess and address complex spiritual and religious needs
  • Discern and respond to the cultural, spiritual and religious needs, traditions and practices of all, including those of no faith
  • Ensure that all spiritual and religious care is person led

In so doing, the AHPCC:

  • Identifies and promotes good practice in religious and spiritual care
  • Is an agent of professional development
  • Provides professional support and fellowship
  • Promotes links with the constituency of palliative care and relevant church bodies and faith communities

For further information and links go to the AHPCC website.

The College of Health Care Chaplains is a multi-faith, interdenominational, professional organisation, which is open to all recognised healthcare chaplaincy staff, both paid and voluntary, and to those with an interest in healthcare chaplaincy.  It is the largest professional membership body for chaplains in the UK.  The College exists to promote the professional standing of healthcare chaplaincy and that of its members both nationally and within health and social care organisations;

  • By supporting members in their individual professional roles and aspirations
  • By representing chaplaincy in the wider context to employers and others

Most of this work relates to chaplains working in the NHS, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the wider membership includes those working in hospices and the voluntary and private sectors, and those with an interest in UK health care chaplaincy, whether or not they are based in the UK.

For further information and links go to the CHCC website.

The Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association is the representative and consultative body for healthcare chaplains/spiritual care professionals in Northern Ireland. The values it promotes are:

  • The dignity and worth of all
  • Faith as an essential dimension of wholeness
  • Spiritual care of persons, communities, organisations and systems
  • Inclusivity and diversity
  • Justice and equality
  • Professional competency and ethical practice.

The aims of NIHCA are:

  • To support healthcare chaplains to carry out their responsibilities
  • To provide a forum for sharing opinions and increasing knowledge
  • To keep up to date with best practice and disseminate this information to chaplains
  • To facilitate and provide appropriate training and encourage appropriate professional and vocational development
  • To encourage theological and pastoral reflection
  • To establish and promote good working relationships with religious and other organisations involved with healthcare

For further information and links go to the NIHCA website.

Being a Chaplain/Spiritual Care Professional

Chaplains/Spiritual Care Professionals have been caring for patients and staff in UK hospitals for over a thousand years. Today the chaplain/spiritual care professional is looked to as a professional figure with expertise to provide spiritual, pastoral and religious care. Chaplains/Spiritual Care Professionals come from many different traditions and faiths but are united by their common focus and participation in the health sector. The NHS along with hospices and private facilities all draw on the services of chaplains/spiritual care professionals to provide holistic care which recognises the vital relationship between spirituality and well-being. Being a chaplain/spiritual care professional in the 21st century requires both skill and knowledge. While much of the chaplain’s work will be with patients, there is also an important advisory and educational role. Excellent patient-centred care requires a nuanced understanding of diversity, difference and personal needs. Failure to provide effective spiritual care can lead to distress, malnutrition and the refusal to consent to life-saving interventions (e.g. transfusion). Each of the departments of health in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales recognise the importance of chaplaincy and advise health providers to ensure that patients have access to spiritual care services. Chaplains across the UK are recognised by the NHS pay structure, Agenda for Change, and are required to comply with the Knowledge and Skills Framework.

The conception of chaplaincy as a distinctive community of professional staff is a relatively new phenomenon. Sociological data describes the UK as a place of accelerating spiritual diversity, making more complex and exacting the practice of chaplaincy. In this context the need for open, inclusive and informed chaplains becomes a professional priority. To learn about the Journey to Professionalisation click here.

The UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy contributes to excellence in chaplaincy and serves the interests of all those providing or receiving spiritual care.  

News

19 September 2024 – Board Bulletin
The directors of the UKBHC met on the 12th September and the following summary of the meeting is shared for information:

  • The interim registrar reported on progress working through the backlog of registration applications since her appointment in mid-June. Of 89 applications awaiting approval 44 have been processed. However, recently, further applications have been discovered stuck within the website email system. The Board continues to apologise for delays in processing applications. Working through the backlog is a priority. If you are awaiting a response, please check junk/spam boxes. Going forward, the Board intends to produce a timeline and flowchart of the registration process.
  • A change to the standing orders of the Board was agreed to bring the total number of professional directors to 8. Yunas Dudhwala was appointed as lead director for EDI [see below for current Board structure].
  • Due to a lay director stepping down there is one vacancy for a lay director. Further details are provided below and with the accompanying Expression of Interest form. The Board would be grateful if registrants would circulate details of the vacancy within their own networks.
  • The Board is awaiting a report from the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) regarding information the PSA requires from the Board to continue to accredit the UKBHC. A considerable amount of work has been done over the last few months in relation to PSA accreditation. As visible evidence of our professional registration with UKBHC, and as approved by PSA, all fully registered chaplains are encouraged to include both UKBHC and PSA logos/quality marks as part of their email signature and on other chaplaincy communication. This helps promote the profession and gives assurance of their standing and practice.   
  • The Board approved a new Code of Conduct. A copy is included in the mailing that contains the bulletin and will be uploaded to the website. Brief details are included below. Please do read and familiarise yourself with it.

Current Board Structure

Role / Lead AreaNameNotes
Interim ChairDerek FraserAlso Academic Standards Lead
SecretaryDerek Johnston 
Interim RegistrarAllison DeanNon-voting Board member
TreasurerClaudia FrancisNon-voting Board member
Governance & RiskElizabeth Allison 
PSAGraham Bell 
EDIYunus Dudhwala 
Professional RegistrationJanelle Kingham 
Professional Conduct – Fitness to practicePaul Nash 
Communication & EngagementMark Newitt 
Professional AdvisorsPhilip Wright 
SPLGSCDawn Allen 
CHCCSarah Crane 
ACGPSarah Giffen 
NIHCAMichael McMillan 
AHPCCJill Thornton 
Wales Chaplaincy ForumBenjamin Tugwell 
Lay DirectorMartin Garrity 
Lay DirectorLorna Jones 
Lay DirectorCharles Kingdon 
Lay DirectorLinda Ross 
Lay DirectorMichael Rowe 
ObserverMark EvansNational Spiritual Care Strategic Advisor Operational Lead Scotland
ObserverAndrew ToddAcademic Advisor
ObserverChaplaincy Forum Chair 
ObserverNPSRCH Chair 
Email addresses for Board officers & Professional Directors can be found on the website. Email addresses for Representative Directors & Lay Directors will be added soon.

Advert for Expressions of Interest in becoming a Lay Director

The UKBHC has an exciting volunteer opportunity for anyone who can demonstrate commitment to supporting the highest standards of safe and effective Chaplaincy – spiritual care in UK health and social care.  If you care about the experience of patients, their families or of healthcare staff, this opportunity may be for you

Healthcare Chaplains promote pastoral, spiritual and religious wellbeing through skilled, compassionate, person-centred care. This is available to our patients, their families and carers, and to staff, volunteers and students. They enable people to celebrate according to their religion or belief within NHS and other healthcare settings, and support those facing very difficult situations such as the death of a loved one, psychosis, being diagnosed with life-threatening conditions and people who are receiving end of life care, as well as being alongside those who just appreciate having a listening ear or a time to chat.

The UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC) was established in 2009. The Purpose of ‘the Board’ is to safeguard the wellbeing of the public by ensuring that healthcare chaplains deliver the highest standards of safe and effective care.

In August 2017 the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) recognised the UKBHC as an Accredited Register. PSA is the regulatory body for all registers of health and social care professionals.

The UKBHC wishes to recruit one voluntary Lay Director to assist with the work of the Board. While registrants are not eligible to apply, we ask you to raise awareness of this opportunity by distributing the advert more widely as appropriate. The Board would particularly welcome interest from applicants who have experience, knowledge and skills in PSA and/or EDI.

PSA registration – To support the Lead officer as a point of contact with PSA, respond to queries relating to UKBHC continued accreditation with the PSA and comply with the annual revalidation process.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) – To support the Lead officer to oversee the practice and application of the UKBHC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and ensure it remains relevant, up-to-date and in compliance with PSA.

Please see the accompanying Expression of Interest form for further information.

26 August 2024 – UKBHC and PSA logos

As visible evidence of our professional registration with UKBHC, and as approved by PSA, all fully registered chaplains are encouraged to include both UKBHC and PSA logos/quality marks as part of their email signature and on other chaplaincy communication. This helps promote the profession and gives assurance of their standing and practice.

 

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14 August 2024 – UKBHC Organisational Structure:

At the June engagement event and in the June newsletter we acknowledged some of the challenges facing the Board, and set out a plan of action to address these.

Previously we had a structure of four representative directors, four professional directors, four lay directors, along with several co-optees and Board officers. This has now been increased to six, seven, and six respectively:

New directors/roles are in italics:

  • ACGP – Sarah Giffen
  • AHPCC – Jill Thornton
  • CHCC Sarah Crane
  • NIHCA – Michael McMillan
  • SPLG – Dawn Allan
  • WCF – Benjamin Tugwell
  • Lay directors – Linda Rossm
  • Lay directors – Lorna Jones
  • Lay directors – Martin Garrity
  • Lay directors – Michael Rowe
  • Lay directors – Charles Kingdon
  • Lay directors – Vacant
  • Co-option – Mark Evans
  • Co-option – Yunus Dudhwala
  • Co-option – Andrew Todd

Email addresses for Professional directors and Board officers can be found on the website.

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14 August 2024 UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC) Registrar position

Invitation for Expressions of Interest for Registrar role:

  • The Board is seeking expressions of interest for the role of Registrar. If you know anyone who might be interested and have the requisite skills, knowledge & values, please pass this information on. The Registrar has the functions of:
  • Granting registration
  • Considering and determining applications for registration as against the published registration criteria. These will include:
  • Considering full registration applications and notifying applicants of the outcome
  • Considering provisional registration applications and notifying applicants of the outcome
  • Renewing registrations (if registration is finite)
  • Keeping the register up to date
  • Administrative removal of registrants for non-payment of fees or failure to return CPD
  • Overseeing compliance with CPD
  • Administer and facilitate the process of receiving complaints and liaising with relevant parties

Please see the attached Expression of Interest for further information and the website – UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy – UKBHC 

Please complete and return by 11th September 2024 to the secretary, Rev Derek Johnston, at secretary@ukbhc.org.uk

Registrar Expression of Interest 2024

About

The UK Board for Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC) was established in 2009, as a register of healthcare chaplains, to demonstrate the accountability of healthcare chaplains to the public.

The primary aim of UKBHC is the safety and wellbeing of the public, which it achieves by setting high standards for the professional practice of healthcare chaplains. UKBHC hold a register of healthcare chaplains who have fulfilled its criteria admission as registrants.

In August 2017 the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) recognised UKBHC as an Accredited Register. PSA is the regulatory body for all registers of health and social care professionals including GMC and NMC.