Abbotsford Regional Hospital faces the closure of its six-bed adolescent psychiatric unit, and the elimination of its spiritual care co-ordinator, as part of further funding cuts announced Thursday by Fraser Health.

Adolescent patients will be transfered to the 10-bed unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital as of Nov. 27.

The spiritual care co-ordinator – among 12 such positions eliminated throughout the region to save $650,000 – will be replaced by volunteers and social workers.

Both cuts have raised deep concerns among the people affected.

Rev. Dr. Hans Kouwenberg, who chaired a commitee to hire the spiritual care co-ordinator, said the decision to replace the position with volunteers and social workers is “ridiculous.”

“I don’t think that’s going to work out very well at all,” he said.

Kouwenberg, who works at Calvin Presbyterian Church, said the person handling the role in Abbotsford — pastor John Haycock – has master’s degrees in theology and hospital care and is highly respected for the expertise and direction he offers.

Volunteers and social workers do not have nearly the same kind of experience, he said. Kouwenberg said putting them into this role suggests that spiritual care is not as important as mental and physical care.

“What would the (health authority) think if volunteers and social workers administered the work of the hospital?”

Kouwenberg sat on the advisory council that, more than eight years ago, interviewed people for the position at the old MSA Hospital. Haycock, who was living in Africa at the time, was hired.

His role has been to connect members from various faith groups in Abbotsford with hospital patients and their families who want spiritual support. He has also worked with staff and has visited palliative care patients.

Kouwenberg said the advisory council and Haycock were thrilled when they were consulted in the development of a “sacred space” at the new Abbotsford hospital.

They saw this as a sign that spiritual care was being viewed as a significant part of the health-care equation.

“What I find so appalling is .... this community represents a very significant faith community ... to pay no attention to that or to not consult with any of the faith leaders is unfortunate and wrong-headed,” Kouwenberg said.

He said the news is also dismaying given the amount of money churches have contributed to Abbotsford hospitals over the years.

The news that the adolescent psychiatric unit is closing has been met with similar disappointment.

Velma Walker, manager of the B.C. Schizophrenia office in Abbotsford, said having to travel to Surrey could put further stress on families coping with mental illness.

Trish Parkin, a volunteer with the BCSS Connections program, said much work and research went into putting the adolescent unit in place. It did not exist at the old hospital, and families were excited to have such services available, she said.

“I think (the closure) is really tragic. There are people being helped by this,” Parkin said.

Lois Dixon, executive director of mental health and addictions for Fraser Health, said the closure is due to staffing issues. There is currently only one psychiatrist available for adolescents at Abbotsford Regional, and that person also has other responsibilities.

There have also been vacancies in psychiatric nursing.

Aggressive national and international recruiting efforts have failed to fill the gaps, and this has meant only up to three of the six beds can be filled at any time, Dixon said.

She said that of the $1.1 million that will be saved in closing the ward, $350,000 to $400,000 will be set aside to enhance other services, such as adolescent crisis response.

Dixon also said every effort will be made to ensure that an adolescent in need receives the appropriate care. In some cases, this means transferring them to the adult psychiatric ward or to the pediatric unit.

“We’re always looking where we can do the best fit for these youth,” she said.