Spirituality and nursing care in the media

Media headlines have raised questions about the overall quality of nursing care provided in some National Health Service (NHS) organisations, and the appropriateness of nurses providing spiritual care to patients.

These headlines highlight some important issues around the role of religious beliefs and spirituality within the health care professions. They also raise some fundamental questions about the role of nurses in supporting patients and clients in meeting their religious and spiritual needs, and the relationship between personal belief and professional practice.