Latest news with #chaplaincy
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Inquest into Geordie Hospital chaplain Katie Watson's death
A coroner has paid tribute to an "inspiring" hospital chaplain who went "above and beyond" in her role caring for patients and Watson, a former army captain, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary Geordie Hospital, about life in a Newcastle 50-year-old mother-of-two was found in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle, in September, having suffered long-standing mental health issues which required both community and in-patient Karin Welsh, sitting in Newcastle, concluded that her death was suicide. Ms Welsh said although some areas of the chaplain's treatment from mental health services could have been handled differently, the coroner did not find that failings led to her taking her own life. If you've been affected by issues in this report there is help and support at BBC Action Line The inquest heard how Ms Watson had a turbulent upbringing before she joined the military, but that she was dismissed due to her served in Bosnia where she witnessed genocide, the inquest heard she developed post-traumatic stress was ordained and became head of chaplaincy at the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust in 2020, during the Welsh paid tribute, saying: "I work closely with people who knew Katie and they always spoke very highly of her and the work she has done."After the hearing, her partner Dr Emily Watson said: "Katie was a unique, inspiring, compassionate person who touched the lives of thousands of people."I am very grateful for the many hundreds of cards and messages I received when she died, and all the stories of how her ministry supported people at some of their darkest times."Ms Watson featured in two series of the Geordie Hospital documentary, which followed the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's staff through a typical known as the Reverend Captain Katie Watson, she often appeared alongside her staff welfare hound Poppy. Additional reporting by PA Media Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Racing must not ignore tragedies afflicting vulnerable stable staff
A strange thing happened last year after Racing Welfare announced it could no longer afford to fund Simon Bailey, chaplain to the industry. Racing Welfare is meant to support those working in British horse racing. Usually it has an annual budget of between £4million and £5million. Then, when purse strings needed to be tightened, Bailey's job became a target. Not everyone thought this a good idea. The Newmarket-based bloodstock agent Richard Brown decided something needed to be done. As the Racing Post reported at the time, Brown drew up a list of 25 potential donors. On his list were trainers and stud farms, wealthy racing enthusiasts and others whose businesses were connected to racing. Brown asked each to contribute £6,000. His target was £120,000. In
