Allied professions
Steve Fouch writes...
Christian Therapists' Network (CTN) Christian Nurses and Midwives (CNM)
After a successful conference in February, this has been a quiet year for CTN and CNM. Both are still settling down after changes in leadership. Unemployment of most graduating allied health professionals, and the increasing proportion of the newly qualified are challenges that both groups are struggling to support members through. CTN faces particular problems as there is now no UCCF-run student ministry to the allied health professions, while CNM is struggling to establish a student work. Anecdotal information suggests many are leaving the professions almost as soon as they qualify because of employment prospects. The parallels with junior doctors are obvious, and are a source of great concern and a spur to prayer for us all.
CMF continues to offer administrative support to both. The next joint conference for Christians in nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions is 1-3 February 2008 at Hebron Hall near Cardiff.
Internationally, we are looking forward to the ICMDA allied professions pre-conference in Austria in September 2008, and the Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI) World Conference the following week in Jos, Nigeria. This autumn we are also involved in the nursing students European regional conference in Malta, on spirituality and care. Across Europe there is a growing network of groups linked to ICMDA, Healthcare Christian Fellowship International (HCFI) and NCFI.
(Steve Fouch continues to support allied professions as CMF Head of Member Services)
PRIME - Partnership in International Medical Education
John Geater, International Director of PRIME writes...
'I found out that a greater bond is made between the patient and me if I speak to him from the heart and if I show him that I really care for his getting better.' So said a Romanian medical student when asked what difference a PRIME course made. A doctor said: 'It made me more “human”, and I now see the patient as a person with cares, weaknesses, will to live, just like myself, and who needs care, hope and a good word'.
The work continues to grow:
- This autumn three teams are going to Romania, and others to Egypt, Albania, Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, India and to ten centres in Nepal.
- In Africa programmes have started or are planned in Sierra Leone, Sudan, Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya.
- An Iberian branch is being set up to work in South America and parts of Africa. There will be a training course (in English/Spanish and open to all nationalities) in Malaga in March 2008 - see our website.
- In UK, working closely with CMF student groups, PRIME 'roadshows' on spiritual care in medical practice will take place at medical schools around the country. The first is in Leeds in October.
As the co-ordinating work grows, we are glad to welcome Dr Clare Cooper as an Associate Director, after five years in the CMF office. Her skills, experience, Spanish language and, above all, passion for the work come at an opportune time.
We pray for the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit to bring life and refreshment to many. We are grateful to all who support us – as tutors, in prayer, or by giving. Please visit www.primeinternational. org.uk for more information or to make online donations.
Family Education Trust
With this mailing you should have received a sample information leaflet from FET. HPV and You is about human papillomavirus and sexual behaviour, and concludes that the recent vaccine is not the whole answer. For more copies, send the order form inside the leaflet to FET.
Hospice 23
For several decades St Columba's Fellowship has sought to 'sustain a Christian presence at the heart of palliative care' and many CMF members have benefited from its conferences and activities.
Keeping its original title for charity reasons, the group has relaunched as Hospice 23. A new website is coming, but for now see www.stcf.co.uk.
