22 November 2023 - Funding Cuts Threaten Essential Spiritual Care Services in Victoria
On 20th November, a response to SHA's Open Letter to the Premier on behalf of Victorian faith communities was received from the Victorian Health Minister stating that there is no change to their decision to cease funding. To date, no rationale has been provided for the basis of this decision. SHA demands transparency regarding the reasons for cutting funding to this essential service.
14 November 2023 - Open Letter to the Premier: Preserving Spiritual Care in Victorian Health Services
Spiritual Health Association (SHA) stands at a pivotal moment as imminent funding cuts pose a threat to the quality and reach of spiritual care in Victorian health services. These cuts not only challenge the delivery of faith-specific spiritual care, cherished by our diverse community, but also risk diminishing the standard of holistic healthcare that Victoria is known for. In response to these challenges, SHA has sent an Open Letter to the Hon. Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria.
14 November 2023 - A Crucial Moment for Australian Healthcare: The Drive for Nationwide Consistency in Spiritual Care
Spiritual Health Association (SHA) calls for national attention to address the growing concern of inconsistent and unsustainable spiritual care across Australia. Recent funding cuts in Victoria signify a deeper, nationwide issue, as detailed in an Open Letter to the Hon. Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria. These cuts compromise the quality and safety of spiritual care in healthcare, highlighting a fragmentation in how spiritual care is provided across different states and territories.
Spiritual Health Association are proud sponsors of the Live the Life you please social impact campaign, brining together greater awareness and understanding about spiritual care. The film promotes the importance of holistic care that is inclusive of spiritual care, to ensure that spiritual needs are met right to the very end of life.
8 September 2022 - Spiritual Health Association speaks up at Mental Health Australia Parliamentary Advocacy Day
Spiritual Health Association joined representatives from approximately 70 other member organisations of Mental Health Australia and took part in discussions with a range of Ministers at Parliament House to advocate for mental health reform. The Mental Health Australia Advocacy Day is a timely opportunity to highlight the critical importance of spiritual care in supporting mental health in clinical contexts.
25 May 2022 - The Future of Spiritual Care in Australia report now available.
Spiritual Health Association has launched the much-anticipated research report The Future of Spiritual Care in Australia: A national study on spirituality, wellbeing and spiritual care in hospitals. The report was officially launched on 18th May by Associate Professor Amanda Walker, Clinical Director at the Australian Commission for Safety & Quality in Health Care, and a specialist in Palliative Medicine.
13 April 2022 - Changes to Spiritual Care Practitioners Professional Development program
After 30 years of leading the facilitation of the Spiritual Care Practitioners Professional Development program, Spiritual Health Association (SHA) is delighted to pass the leadership to Spiritual Care Australia (SCA). The program steering committee agree that it is time for SCA to broaden the delivery of the program across multiple sectors in Australia. SHA remains an active part of the steering committee offering leadership for spiritual care in the health sector.