HAVE ACADs A ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF THE HEALTH SERVICE?

Abstract

In the ever evolving NHS change is the one consistent factor. For some change is exciting, for others it’s threatening. No community likes to ‘lose’ its hospital, but what if change could bring a better local service? Brian Cowan reflects on the development of ACADs as a complimentary alternative to the traditional hospital site: a service and buildings redesigned around the patients. Chris Levison reflects on the practical implications the change could have on chaplaincy including: multidisciplinary team-working, spiritual needs, and closer community contacts. These papers were presented at the Chaplaincy Conference at Crieff in May 2000.