Full-time Chaplains are NHS interdisciplinary team members. They work with patients, families, staff and volunteers.

Professional care goals include:

• healthy, meaningful use of people’s spirituality,
• people’s awareness of meaning and purpose,
• people’s use of their religious traditions, beliefs and practices.

Spiritual and Religious Care staff also work with area faith communities / congregations in order for
appointed visitors (‘ordained’ and ‘lay’) to attend to the spiritual needs of their people in hospital.

Spiritual and Religious Care:

At other NHS Sites, and after hours at every Site, please contact Switchboard for the On-Call Service.

Explanation for asking about your religion

When being admitted, you will be asked whether you want your record to list a religion, and secondly a specific church or congregation.

This is for two reasons: foremost, the hospital intends to support and facilitate your religious requirements whenever possible (e.g. dietary, spiritual/ritual, medical). We also support and facilitate the work of your congregation’s visitors in attending to you.

It is, of course, completely within your rights not to declare your religion or church/congregation. Your choice in this matter will be entered, maintained for present/future reference and respected as part of the hospital information used to provide for your care while in hospital.

You may change this information at any time simply by notifying the Admitting Department.

When providing this information, please be as explicit as possible; so, when you belong to a specific church/congregation, please tell us!