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Information for patients and relatives

Emotional and spiritual support

Spiritual support recognises the many emotions felt in the face of illness, trauma, fear, or worry about personal matters.

You may find it helpful to talk things through with someone removed from your situation. Chaplains provide a sympathetic, confidential listening ear to anyone who would find support helpful during their hospital stay.

Religious support

If you have a religious faith, chaplains can support you in the following ways, both at the bedside and in the spiritual care centre:

  • Prayer (general, specific, before operations, when treatment is withdrawn, with those coming to the end of their lives).
  • Holy Communion or RC mass, in the chapel or at the bedside.
  • Anointing.
  • Confession / absolution.
  • Emergency baptisms.
  • Naming and blessing services for deceased babies.
  • Arrangements for emergency weddings or renewal of marriage vows.
  • Contact and liaison with local leaders of major faith groups on your behalf if requested.
  • Support for your additional faith needs.
  • Access to religious literature.

End of life and bereavement support

We can offer emotional or religious support to those nearing the end of life and their loved ones. NB that a specific non-religious bereavement care team is also available. Call switchboard and ask for bereavement care or visit the patient and family support hub.

Contacting a chaplain

If you would like a chaplain to visit you during your stay in hospital, you can let us know in the following ways:

  • Simply call us over if you see us walking round your ward.
  • Let the nursing staff know on your admission or at any time during your stay, that you would like them to refer you to the spiritual care department.
  • Contact us to let us know the date you are coming in and the location you are expected to be in. Our email address is spiritualcare@uhs.nhs.uk
  • Arrange for your relative, friend or faith leader to contact us on your behalf.
  • Use an internal phone to dial 8517 to get through to the spiritual care department directly. You can call 023 8120 8517 from any phone.