Chaplains are members of hospital staff who provide spiritual, religious and pastoral care. We are employed to provide support for patients, their visitors and staff irrespective of their faith or belief traditions. We work closely with clinical teams on the wards. The Chaplains are supported by trained chaplaincy volunteers from different faith and belief groups.
All hospital staff, including Chaplains and chaplaincy volunteers, are bound by strict rules of confidentiality.
Chaplains visit the wards regularly and can be called to support individuals at any time. If you wish to speak to a member of the chaplaincy team, please ask a member of staff.
A Chaplain will not:
- preach at you or criticise
- push religion at you
- tell your relatives anything you don't want them to know
- visit for too long
But a Chaplain will:
- listen and be alongside you
- help you in your healing and recovery
- offer prayers or meditation, if that is what you want
Although the Chaplains currently come from specific religious traditions, the presence and support we offer is not limited to people who are religious. We understand that there are times when we all need a compassionate, listening ear, and we are frequently called upon to be alongside people during their visits to hospital.
Your faith might require you to use a prayer mat or eat a special diet. You might need a sacred text or a religious book. You may like somebody to help with prayer or meditation. The chaplains can help with these things. The Chaplaincy Team includes representatives from six of the major world faiths:
- Buddhism
- Christianity
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Judaism
- Sikhism
Within Christianity, the Chaplaincy Team has Anglican, Free Church and Roman Catholic chaplains who offer the sacraments including bedside communion and the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. A number of Eucharistic ministers can also bring communion to the bedside on request.
If you belong to another faith / belief group, we are happy to visit you if you like, or to put you in contact with a member of your own faith / belief group.
The Chaplaincy Team endeavour to provide culturally appropriate care.
If you would like to meet a chaplain, please tell a member of staff on your ward.
Last reviewed: 04 June 2024
