Below are a number of frequently asked questions that you may find helpful:
My mum is from out of area and finds herself in the Cardiology Unit. She’s been a regular church-goer for years and would really like to receive communion. Her vicar says she’s not able to take mum communion for at least a week. Can you help?
Yes, we can. Please phone us with details of your mum’s name and the ward she’s on. We’ll arrange a time to go and see her. It would be really helpful if you could let her know you’ve spoken to us. We’ll catch up with her and see what we can do to help. If your mum’s waiting for an operation, she could be "nil by mouth" which means we can’t give her anything to eat now, but we’ll make a note and make sure to go back and see her later.
My uncle isn’t religious and hasn’t been to church since he was baptised. He’s just rung to say he’s feeling really lonely. My family and I are doing all we can to visit and support him in the evenings, but we can’t be there in the day. Please would you be able to visit to keep him company?
Yes, we can – provided he’s happy to see us. Please phone us with more details and make sure he knows you’ve had this conversation with us. We’ll go and see if he’d like us to stay for a chat.
I’m a patient here in the hospital and would like a visit. Are you able to come and see me?
Yes, of course. Please phone us with your details or ask a member of staff to get in touch with us. We look forward to meeting you.
I’m a patient and would love to join your service on Sunday. Please can you tell me more about it?
We do not have a Sunday service. We have a Catholic Mass at 4pm on a Monday. We have a Church of England / Baptist Communion on a Wednesday at 11:30am. We do have a Chaplain in hospital on a Sunday and if you’d like him / her to visit please contact us. He / She can arrange to say prayers with you or bring Holy Communion.
We’ve just been told that my partner hasn’t got long to live. I’m trying to be strong for her but inside I am feeling devastated. Please can I come and talk to someone?
We’re so sorry to hear your news and for the pain and sadness it brings. We’re more than happy to support you as this difficult time. As well as being available to patients and staff, Chaplaincy is also provided in hospital to support relatives and close friends, too. Please get in touch and we’ll arrange to meet up.
My sister doesn’t believe in God or religion. Please can you go and talk to her and see if you can change her mind?
If your sister would like us to visit, we’d be happy to, but it will be up to your sister to decide whether or not she’d like to talk to us about faith issues. We are not here to "convert" people, many in hospital are vulnerable and our role is always supportive and patient led.
I’m ringing to find out if a friend/parishioner of mine is in hospital. Can you help?
This information is confidential. We can’t pass it on.
My partner is in hospital. He’s dying. We’ve been together years and have decided we’d like to get married. We don’t know what to do. Can you advise us?
We’re so sorry to hear about your partner and for all you are going through as a couple. It is sometimes possible to marry within the hospital. There are certain criteria that need to be met but if you raise this with ourselves and the staff on the ward we can help discuss the options available in a timely manner.
I’m a Jewish patient and would like my rabbi to visit me post-op. Is this possible?
Religious leaders are always welcome to visit members of their congregations. Your rabbi might need to know the visiting times for your ward and you may wish to let family/friends know that you’re expecting a visit. All our wards have a maximum number of visitors allowed around a patient’s bedside at any one time. If you need any help from us arranging the visit from your rabbi, please let us know.
I’ve been told I’m really poorly and may only have a few months left to live. I’d probably call myself an atheist. I would like to plan my funeral so my partner and family don’t have to second guess what I want. I don’t want to have a long conversation about what I believe and why. I’d just like someone to sit down with me and help me plan ahead. Do you know anyone?
We’re very sorry to hear about your diagnosis and send our best wishes to you and your family at this difficult time. The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Department would be willing to help you begin to discuss your wishes and plan ahead. If you need any more support, we’d be happy to find the right person for you.
It’s coming up to the anniversary of my daughter’s death. She died at the hospital eight years ago. I’d really like to mark the day somehow and am thinking of coming into the chapel. I spent a lot of time there when she was ill and it’s an important place for me. Would someone be available to talk to me and may be say some prayers?
We are sorry to hear about your daughter’s death and upcoming anniversary. We understand the significance of marking the day and spending some time in quiet reflection. It’s good to know the chapel was a help to you in the past and you are very welcome to make use of it again. Please let us know when you are coming in and we’ll do our best to have someone meet you.
