The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology report on the use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CAM) stated the following in relation to therapies within Group 2 - which includes Reiki & Spiritual Healing;

"We are satisfied that many therapies listed in our Group 2 give help and comfort to many patients when used in a complementary sense to support conventional medical care"

"In relieving stress, in alleviating side effects (for example of various forms of anti-cancer therapy) and in giving succour to the elderly and in palliative care they often fulfil an important role".

The SBSHT healing therapists, who work within the NHS and other health areas, are proud to be part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to provide vital support cancer patients, their relatives and staff.

Since 2006, the SBSHT has funded healers to work in NHS, and other health related areas to support  cancer patients and their families.

A key role of the SBSHT is to increase awareness within the UK of the importance of providing healing support to cancer patients and families. Another vital role is to generate the crucial funds needed to place more healers  in NHS, and other health related areas, throughout the country.

Complementary therapy (CT) is increasingly demanded and expected by patients undergoing cancer treatments. An increasing amount of research clearly demonstrates that CT is important to support patients through their conventional treatments. 

SBSHT is committed to providing funds to NHS hospitals and cancer centers to engage the services of a Reiki practitioner or Healer for cancer patients and their families.

As a charity we are or have funded healer posts within the centres below.

University College Hospital, London

Princess Alexandra Hospital, Epping

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Welwyn Garden City

Derriford Hospital, Plymouth

Wigan NHS Trust , Wigan

St Josephs Hospice,London

Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Children’s Hospice, Carlisle

St Mary's Hospice, Ulverston and Barrow in Furness NHS Trust

St Johns Hospice, Lancaster

Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury

Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay 

The Lister Hospital,Stevenage

Barnstaple NHS Trust

Treliske Hospital, Cornwall

Poole NHS Trust

St Michaels Hospice, Herefordshire

We initially provide funds for a period of 1 year for up to 2 days a week; following this period the project is reassessed and normally funded for a further year. Following this two-year period of funding by SBSHT the posts are (in the majority) are then funded by 'in-house charity ' funds by the relevant hospital or hospice.  Our projects have provided important supportive care (within a 2-day week) to on average 665 patients and carers per year per project.

NB: Each project is unique and in many caseswe have continued to fund hospitals and Hospices in  subsequent years as the role expands.

We need to be contacted by the Hospital or Hospice (H/H)

♥     We will then request to visit the H/H to see how and where the therapist will be working with 

        patients

♥    The therapist must be able to work in an integrated way with patients, relatives and staff

♥    A minimum of 6 patients must be seen per day (30 minute sessions)

♥    Once we have agreed the project we will donate funds into any suitable NHS or related fund

♥    The vacancy will usually be advertised on NHS jobs website or internally if appropriate

♥    The therapist will be given an NHS fixed term contract

♥   The charity has policy, protocols and job descriptions available to govern Reiki / Spiritual Healing

       if the recruiting centre requires this information

♥    Similar projects elsewhere are banded 4 or 5 within the Agenda for Change system

♥   The therapist will be required to wear a SBSHT polo shirt and provide us with quarterly reports

♥    Projects are a maximum of 15 hours per week for one year initially

NB: The therapist is not self-employed and will hold an NHS or Hospice contract once a project is agreed.