NHS Chaplains

In the June/July 2012 edition of Teulu Asaph our "In the Spotlight" feature looks at chaplaincy work.

After speaking to us about their roles, Revd Kathy Collins and Revd Gary Windon brought to our attention some words from the Bishop of London about supporting chaplains in hospitals and hospices, especially as more and more they are being forced to justify their role.

Here are some helpful pointers (adapted from the Bishop's webpage) to help you offer support whether you are a cleric, a parishioner or a Christian working for the NHS.

Clergy

• When a parishioner is going into hospital/hospice please contact the chaplaincy team with as much information about the admission as possible – chaplains’ details are listed in the Diocesan Year Book and on the web site and will shortly be available on the Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board website. The Health Board looks after all the NHS hospitals in St Asaph Diocese.

• If you visit a parishioner in hospital/hospice it is very useful for the chaplaincy team to know this, as it provides data which they can use to demonstrate the importance of spiritual care for patients. An email to Jane Marshall would be much appreciated.

Patients

• Contact the Chaplaincy Team before you go into hospital/hospice – their details are listed in the Diocesan Year Book and on the web site and will shortly be available on the Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board website.

• On admission make sure your Christian faith is noted in the paperwork and ask for a referral to the chaplaincy team stressing its importance for you.

• During your stay make sure you feedback to nursing and medical staff how much you have appreciated chaplaincy care.

• After your stay write a letter of thanks to the Chaplaincy Team. It is difficult for chaplaincy departments to provide evidence of the often unseen and unsung ministry of love and care they provide for patients.

Those who work in the NHS

• Many in our congregations work in the NHS in various capacities. We should remember them in our prayers and we are grateful for all the ways they are able to support and encourage our chaplains and to speak up for the importance of the continued spiritual care of patients, relatives and staff.

Caplaniaid * Chaplains

The Diocese has links with the Chaplains to the various hospitals in the region, including those beyond the Diocesan borders to which people might travel.

There are also Chaplains working in industry and education.

On May 11 2011 an exciting new initiative was launched at Deeside College, Flintshire. Chaplains from the Diocese of St Asaph and the Methodist Church have started working there from Monday to Thursday.

Revd Martin Batchelor, Vicar of Bistre is heading up the team which also includes Under 25’s Officer Tim Feak, Revd Sally Baird and Alexier Mayes who will be ordained in the summer.

Completing the team are two ministers from the Methodist Church, Revd Rosemarie Clark and Revd Robin Fox.

The Chaplains will be available for students and staff alike at Deeside College and are based in student services, near to the main entrance of the Kelsterton Road site.

Tim Feak, Revd Robin Fox, Bishop Gregory, Revd Martin Batchelor, Revd Rosemarie Clark and Revd Sally Baird

Cyswllt * Contact

Students can contact the Deeside College Chaplaincy Team by email by clicking here

NHS Chaplains

We're being encouraged to support our chaplains in the NHS who are more and more being asked to justify their roles. Please see the sidebar for some advice. This has been adapted from the Bishop of London's webpage.