The three CPE Centers in Dublin and the Centre at Cork University Hospital have been accredited by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board (HCB) with their remit of accrediting the original CPE Centres. The more recently established Centres in Ballyclare, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland and at Northridge House , St Luke’s Home Cork have just been accredited by the recently formed All Ireland CPE Accreditation Board (AICAB). The Director at the Centre in Ballyclare is Sr Mary Jo Cocoran and the Centre is supported by the Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplaincy Association and Northern Ireland Department of Health. The Director at Northridge House is Rev Bruce Pierce and the Centre is supported as part of the outreach programme of St Luke’s Home, Cork.
The AICAB consisted of representatives of the following bodies – National Association of Healthcare Chaplains, ACPE(Ireland) Ltd, Chaplaincy Accreditation Board and the Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association. Fr Brian Gough is Chairperson of AICAB with the remit to accredit the CPE Programmes at the designated Centers. AICAB also involves an overseas CPE Supervisor to enhance objectivity and best international practice. On the February accreditation site visits to Ballyclare and Northridge House Rev. Dr. Neil Elford was part of the team. Dr Elford is a member of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care and part of the CASC Centre Accreditation Committee. Currently he is Director for Spiritual Health Mission & Ethics at Providence Care & Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ontario.