We are pleased to support an exciting new initiative which is in the process of being developed and supported in Helsby village jointly by a team from St Paul's Anglican Church and Helsby Methodist Church.

The Parish Nurse Project is a national scheme operating under the umbrella of "Parish Nursing Ministries UK "a registered charity.

The Historical Development of Parish Nursing

The Parish Nurse Role of today was initially developed by Revd Dr Granger E Westberg in 1985 in the USA. He recognised the role that nurses, with their knowledge of both medical science and of the humanities, played in effecting a professional relationship between the medical establishment and the individual within the context of their community. He established the Parish Nurse role, which currently operates in approximately 10,000 churches throughout America.

In 2001 a group was convened by Dr Malcolm Rigler, GP to explore the possibilities for development of this role within UK. There are currently c 50 projects running in the UK.

What can a Parish Nurse do?

* Visit congregational contacts who have health-related problems, and pray with them as appropriate
* Assist the church to offer relevant help at a person’s point of need
* Give personal health advice and help someone to get the most appropriate treatment or care
* Liaise with the local GP surgery and staff
* Encourage the congregation towards more healthy lifestyles
* Motivate volunteers and offer training and opportunities for service in the local community
* Support and work with those already engaged in pastoral care
* Talk to church-based groups about physical and spiritual health issues
* Accompany someone to a stressful medical appointment
* Make links with other voluntary groups and agencies
* Attend and assist with services for healing
* Help you and your leadership team to care for your own health
* Work within the Code of Professional Practice (Nursing and Midwifery Council).

What will a Parish nurse not do?

* A Parish Nurse will not do dressings, injections, and invasive treatments. If these are needed they are provided by the Practice nurse, or District Nursing service.
* She will not give advice beyond the competencies for which she has been trained.
* She will not put pressure on anyone to change their religion or join a particular church.
This project is for the benefit of everyone irrespective of their faith. Our local parish nurse, Joan Piercy, employed as a registered nurse at Warrington Hospital, is volunteering her own time to develop this initiative and has already undertaken after-Church service clinics at both Churches in Helsby.

We held a successful well men's breakfast on Saturday 24 October.

If you feel you can assist with our project in any way or need  assistance please contact us in confidence at jpiercyparishnursehelsby@msn.com