The WholeCare project came from a range of sources including the 'Time to Heal Report' published on 1st July 2000.

This was the first Report on Christian healing commissioned by the Church of England in 40 years. It was chaired by Bishop John Perry who also became the first chair of the subsequent Steering Group which followed its publication. Its main focus was to present current and appropriate outlines for good practise of this ministry principally within church contexts and also within professional health contexts such as hospital chaplaincies.

The Report encouraged an ongoing and dynamic consultation between health professional, hospital chaplains and the practitioner's of the church's healing ministry.

The House of Bishops Subgroup on Healing is now chaired by Bishop Dominic Walker and meets three times a year. It has already sponsored and organized two major conferences for Healing Advisory Teams which have been well attended.

It is now 8 years since the Report was published and the subgroup has now developed and is implementing healing resources and teams on a diocesan and local deanery basis. Through its secretary, Rev. Beatrice Brandon, this group is making ecumenical links with a view to exploring the possibility of establishing cross-church healing resources.

Russ Parker, Sept 08.