A HOSPITAL is like a mini city, and within its walls and wards across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, a group of 16 dedicated chaplains, and their team of almost 40 volunteers, help its community of patients, staff, family and visitors each day.
They are a friendly face in what, for some, can be a frightening and stressful place and the team are specialists in all aspects of spiritual, religious and pastoral care of the whole hospital. And that is no matter what a person’s religion or background. In fact you don’t even have to be religious to speak to a chaplain or one of their team.
In a typical day they help many people across the hospital sites in Southend, Basildon and Broomfield.
Sarah Haines, Head of patient experience and lead of the chaplaincy departments said: “The chaplaincy teamembody the Trust values in their day-to-day role, particularly in times of need, for both staff and patients.
“All sites have quiet spaces in our faith rooms for all, regardless of your beliefs.
Please drop by and the visit the team to find outthe supportthey can offer.”
The chaplaincy team are made up of staff members as well as volunteers, providing spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, families and staff of all faith backgrounds and none.
The team start the day by catching up with any admin and check any requests that have come in from the wards. A request for one of the chaplaincy team to visit, support and spend time with a patient can be made from staff on the ward or families or friends of patients and loved ones.
Dani, lead trust chaplain, and the team set up the prayer room each day room and a book of condolences is always left out for staff, patients and visitors to write in their respects.
On the day we dropped in, Nick, one of the Trust’s chaplains, spends an hour with patient Doug talking to and supporting him. Conversations with chaplains are completely confidential unless what is said is a threat to someone’s wellbeing.
Not all the chaplain team wear religious clothing, so they can be as inclusive as possible.
Something the chaplaincy team are regularly called upon to help with is garden openings and the blessing of memorial benches. Lead Chaplain Sue is pictured with senior sister Emma Exton at the blessing
Jackie is the volunteer chaplains who spends most of her time with families and staff in the maternity departments. As Jackie is doing her rounds in maternity, she catches up with new mum Victoria, from Shoebury, who is in for a post-natal check-up after the birth of her daughter.
Jackie has been there to support Victoria throughout her whole pregnancy. Victoria said: “Jackie and the chaplaincy team have been a part my journey and the support they have given me has been so appreciated.”
Jackie does a little blessing for Victoria and her family before she leaves.
After stopping by to offer support to all the families on the unit, Jackie checks in and offers support to the maternity team. Joanne, one of our midwives, said “Having someone to talk to from the Chaplaincy team is so very comforting for our women, our families and our team.”
See https://www.mse.nhs.uk/ chaplaincy.
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