ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an introduction to some of the main religions practised in the United Kingdom and the ways in which these influence healthcare practice. It focuses on the four religions forms, namely Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian faiths, Islam, and Hinduism. The Department of Health in the United Kingdom had long recognized the need to ensure that religious and cultural beliefs of patients and their families were met by both staff and the wider organization. Jehovah's Witnesses normally accepts all forms of medical treatment with the exception of infusion with blood and blood products. Prayer is very important to most practising Christians, especially during periods of stress and crisis. Islam is one the world's major religions; it is the religion of Muslims. Orthodox Hindus believe that a person's karma is permanent and cannot be altered, and disapprove of the mixing of castes through contact in any form.
