In this issue
Features
What might Francis mean for us? (free article)
In the light of events at Stafford Hospital, Louise Robinson presents some hypothetical scenarios where ethical dilemmas develop out of pressures on the NHS system, and invites practitioners to offer reflections on ensuring good quality patient care
After the Francis Report, what next for whistle -blowing in the NHS? (free article)
Peter Jenkins explores the rights of employees who raise concerns and the potential personal and professional implications of taking such action
Give sorrow words
Why is it necessary to grieve and is the grieving process akin to a depressive state? John Crew considers the relationship between bereavement and depression
Not giving up
Elizabeth Baird explores the impact of being diagnosed with MS on her work as a therapist
We’re having a baby
Supervisor Elaine Davies and supervisee Jeanette Jones present their perspectives on a unique event within clinical and supervision practice
Getting the most out of supervision
Sally Despenser offers an update on how to use supervision
Stone flowers
Jude Boyles and Christine Adcock describe a music project for refugee survivors of torture that had a transformative effect on all those taking part
Regulars
Chair’s report – BACP Healthcare
Tina Campbell: Good endings
Development – BACP Healthcare
Louise Robinson: The human side of commissioning
Counselling in primary care
Richard Mason: A Winter's tale
Third sector perspective
Michael Lilley: The year of paradigm shifts
GP viewpoint
John Hague: Prioritising clinical care
Resumé
Gareth Jones
Not all articles from this issue are available online. Divisional members and subscribers can download the pdf from the Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal archive.
From the editor
What does whistle-blowing mean to us in the light of events at Stafford Hospital and the ensuing Francis Report? Our two connected lead articles explore the implications for counsellors and psychotherapists working in the NHS. The overwhelming majority of us who work as healthcare practitioners are in the job because we care about clients, but what happens when we are faced with having to balance patient care with pressures on the system?
In her article, Louise Robinson presents some hypothetical scenarios where ethical dilemmas develop out of such pressures. Following on, Peter Jenkins explores the rights of employees who raise concerns, and argues that whistle-blowing has a direct relevance to all therapists working in the NHS. We would love to know what you think and to know about your own dilemmas.
The subject of best practice is often featured, in some form, in the pages of this journal, and Elizabeth Baird’s article, about continuing to work as a therapist after being diagnosed with MS, offers us an example of a practitioner who is committed to carrying on working in the face of a life-changing diagnosis.
Good client care is hugely evident in our best practice feature, in which Jude Boyles and Christine Adcock describe a project for refugee survivors of torture. The ethos was a belief in empowering members to write and perform their own songs; and so inspirational was this collaboration between musicians and therapists that, in Jude and Christine’s words, it ‘impacted in ways we are still finding difficult to articulate’.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this issue and to all our regular columnists and book reviewers. Your work is much valued. If you would like to write for us, please email me at the address below. In the meantime, I wish you happy and productive autumn and winter months.
Sarah Hovington
Editor
hcpj.editorial@bacp.co.uk