Chaplains
Chaplains are professionals specifically trained in pastoral care in a hospital setting who work as part of the multi-disciplinary care team. They offer pastoral, emotional and spiritual care to children and their families. The service is offered to people of all faiths and of no specific faith background, respecting the inherent dignity of each human being, irrespective of race, creed, ethnicity or belief system. The Chaplains visit the wards daily and you may see one of us during your stay. If we miss you on our visits and you or your family would like to talk to a Chaplain, please ask the nurse to contact the Chaplaincy Department. If your family has a particular religious background or church tradition it would be helpful if you could make this known to the staff on your admission.
What the Chaplains do
- Listen to you with empathy and compassion in a non-judgmental way.
- Provide emotional and spiritual support.
- Assist you in drawing on your inner spiritual resources as an important element in the healing process.
- Ensure that you have access to religious practices and rituals that will sustain you in times of difficulty, stress and distress.
- Work as part of the multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of holistic healthcare.
- Assist you in the theological, ethical and spiritual aspects of making important healthcare related decisions.
- Act as an advocate for you, taking into account your spiritual, cultural and social values.
- Will contact your faith representative if you so request.