Chaplaincy

The chaplaincy team maintian 24/7 availability to patients, their relatives and staff with the aim of meeting pastoral, spiritual and religious needs whethever possible. These days it is not practical to provide a resource for every faith, denomination or set of beliefs but our trained and experienced team will make every effort to meet with those who ask for their attention in a way that respects their views and beliefs whilst seeking to provide a connection with individuals and groups within the community.

The Chapliancy Centre is located at Sunderland Royal Hospital opposite main reception and incluces St Bede's Chapel (available for anyone to use) and prayer room, with washing facilities. The chapel is open for private prayer or a place to find refuge in a busy hospital, until 10pm; the Security Team can be contacted for access after 10pm, based next to main reception.

Chaplains are not placed within the hospital to encourage one faith system over another. Instead their work is to try and meet the expressed needs that are revealed as a result of events happening whilst people are within the hospital.

Respecting every individual's right to their beliefs is an important part of understanding how to care for each other. Within the hospital there will be many people who offer care in different ways, and in Sunderland there is the opportunity for patients, relatives and staff to access support that is based on the premise that we are more than just emotional and physical.

Understanding how others appreciate the world and their places in it can be important in understanding their attitude towards themselves and what is need for health and wholeness. For some, beliefs will be expressed in terms of religious disciplines and ideals whilst for others there may be a much more person centred approach to their values.

Being able to talk, both with confidences and in confidence is something that may help many patients and families as they cope with problems associated with ill health and the reality of death and bereavement within life.

On that basis, can we help you?

During the week there are services held in the chapel area such as:

• Roman Catholic Mass on Thursdays at 12pm
• Holy Communion on Tuesdays at 12pm
• Moslem Friday prayer at around 1pm

Details of all the regular services can be found displayed in the chapel. also you will a pin board and cards which you are invited to use for prayer requests. There are also referral cards which you can use to contact the chaplains - either leave your message at their office or at main reception.

In the course of a week the chaplaincy team work throughout the hospital site and are pleased to visit anyone brought to their attention or who require a sacramental ministry such as Holy Communion. Unfortunately the methods used for recording a person's religion in hospital are not sensitive enough to alert the chaplaincy to a particular need and therefore do ask that you bring anyone whom you now would appreciate a visit to our attention.

If your call is not urgent please ring the office on 0191 5699180 and leave a message on the answerphone. One of the chplains will be able to respond to you very shortly.

If your call is urgent then please dial the hospital switchboard on 0191 5656256 and request the operator bleep the duty chaplain. Usually they are available on site between 9am and 5pm all week, but at other times they can be contacted by mobile phone if you make that request.

Chaplaincy Centre 0191 5699180