ABSTRACT
Spirituality has come out of the closet of ignorance. Some write of a spirituality revolution being under way a distinct trend that has been unfolding with accelerating pace in the post-war era. Within a couple of generations, an enormous cultural shift has taken place, which the sociological research supports, which has broken the traditional religion/spirituality paradigm. Wariness about religion, as suggested earlier; and the risks of proselytising or judgementalism creeping in coupled with an emphasis upon humanistic scientific values has led to a lack of awareness and inclusion of spirituality in healthcare. Therefore, spirituality directly impacts upon health and wellbeing. The chapter explores spiritual care and the essential factors that underpin it, but building palliative services which are soulful – paying attention to the spiritual needs of patients and staff – has some common and well-documented elements. The holistic milieu has caught professionals in its web too, for patient-centred care lies at the centre of healthcare values.
