Parish Nursing: Whole Person Health Care through the local church

What is a Parish Nurse?

A Parish Nurse is an experienced Registered Nurse who works a few hours a week from any local church, often in a voluntary capacity, developing whole-person health care in the local community.  Parish Nurses combine their specialist nursing knowledge with spiritual care and health promotion for all kinds of people, of all faiths and none.

Parish nurses do not work in competition with G.P.’s, health visitors, community nurses or other health providers. Rather, they do seek to develop good working relationships with them, so that care through the NHS is enhanced, prevention of disease is furthered and people stay healthier.

A Parish Nurse works alongside the local church and other healthcare providers, combining knowledge of the body with a focus on spiritual care. In partnership with other relevant resources the Parish Nurse works to bring ‘wholeness’, giving individuals a sense of worth and purpose. Parish Nursing is a free service for people of all faiths or none.  As Christians we believe that God cares for everyone, whether or not they come to church, so Parish Nurses offer their help without prejudice and will not put pressure on anyone to change their religion or join a particular church.

All UK Parish Nurses follow the Code of Practice of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and so confidentiality is paramount.  This means that information about an individual will not be shared with anyone unless specific permission is given (or if something that is said implies harm to the client or others).

About me:

My name is Sheena Glanville, I am a Registered Nurse and I would like to tell you about my new job as Parish Nurse, based at Bluntisham Baptist Church. I am an experienced Registered Nurse and have worked in hospital and community health care settings, with specialist experience in cardiology.  I also hold qualifications in Adult Training & Development which included supporting students working in Health and Social Care settings.

I am a member of Bluntisham Baptist Church which I attend regularly with my family. The church has commissioned me for this role in order to implement the Parish Nursing service for the benefit of the local community. Initially, I will be working two days a week and am excited about being able to use my skills and experience in this way.

What can the Parish Nursing service do?

As Parish Nurse I will not be doing dressings and injectionsor any invasive treatment that is normally provided by your GP surgery or Community Nursing service.

As Parish Nurse I can:

• Give personal and confidential health advice

• Offer ‘drop in’ appointments at a Parish Nurse Surgery

• Take and monitor blood pressure

• Work alongside others engaged in pastoral care at the church

• Liaise as appropriate with local GP surgery staff

• Provide a link to appropriate voluntary agencies, health facilities or support groups

• Offer training and opportunities for volunteering in the community

• Talk to community groups about health issues

• Accompany people to stressful medical appointments

• Offer spiritual support and prayer with individuals when asked

• Listen!

‘I very much see my work as simply getting alongside people’: comment from a Parish Nurse as quoted on the Parish Nursing Ministries website.

Parish Nursing Ministries UK

The Parish Nursing service based at Bluntisham Baptist Church has been set up in affiliation with Parish Nursing Ministries UK.  This is a charity that provides specialist training and development for Parish Nurses and also encourages and supports churches to set up their own project.

Further details and examples of how people have been helped by Parish Nurses are available at www.parishnursing.org.uk

Getting started:

This is a new venture and I am currently exploring what services and facilities are available locally to support people’s health and wellbeing. I anticipate that the Parish Nursing service based at the Baptist Church will start slowly and gradually evolve as we discover what needs there are and how we can be of practical help in Bluntisham and surrounding communities. We are also hoping to work with other local churches and volunteers in developing this health ministry – so watch this space!

Contacting your Parish Nurse:

Sheena will be working on Mondays and Wednesdays and can be contacted as follows:

Phone: 07747 799629

Email: 

By post: Bluntisham Baptist Church, High Street, Bluntisham, PE28 3LD