For over 20 years NHS policy has included directives and guidance on the inclusion of spiritual care as part good practice in healthcare.

Here are some of these policies which have relevance to spiritual care in British General Practice.

Handbook of Spiritual Care in Mental Illness

General Medical Council Guidance: Good Medical Practice (updated 2019): 15a

General Medical Council; Outcomes for Graduates 2018: 14

NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines 2015.pdf Chaplaincy in General Practice p20

From values to action: The Chief Nursing Officer's review of mental health nursing 2006 (pdf) p28,38

The National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions Department of Health 2005 (pdf) p51

Guidance on Cancer Services Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with Cancer (NICE 2004) Spiritual Support Services (pdf) p95-104

Spirituality and clinical care: Spiritual values and skills are increasingly recognised as necessary aspects of clinical care (2002) Larry Culliford, consultant psychiatrist. BMJ 2002; 325 doi: (Published 21 December 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;325:1434

Discovering meaning, purpose and hope through person centred wellbeing and spiritual care: framework - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)