Chaplains work as part of the team caring for patients, carers and staff to provide emotional, psychological and spiritual support. Healthcare is more than simply looking after physical needs. We all have emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.
Being in a hospital environment as a patient, carer or a member of staff may unearth deep seated feelings and emotions within us all, which is normal and natural. The chaplaincy team is here to support all people regardless of faith, belief or world view.
The services provided by the chaplaincy are available to those who require them, at any point during a patient’s stay, to their family members and to any member of Newcastle Hospitals staff.
All beliefs
All of us have beliefs – religious, spiritual or secular. These help us find meaning in our lives and enables us to cope, especially when we face difficult times.
Our team of chaplains have a wide range of faith views.
The team works to make sure that there are opportunities for people to explore their individual beliefs and to be respected, cared for and thought about in appropriate ways, for instance:
- Opportunities to talk about what’s happening/explore fears and concerns/share emotions. For example, when we experience a crisis of belief or distress because we are exposed to traumatic situations.
- Facilitating and providing religious and non-religious rites or rituals that support us and provide us with coping mechanisms.
Worship opportunities
The chaplaincy team can lead acts of worship at the bedside, including prayers, holy communion and other rites and rituals. Please contact the team to arrange this.
At approximately 1.00pm on Fridays, Muslim prayer takes place in both Freeman Hospital Chapel and St Luke’s Chapel at the RVI.
A service of holy communion is held in the Freeman Hospital chapel on Tuesdays 12.45pm – 1.15pm. The service is led by a Church of England minister and is open to all patients, staff and relatives.
Chaplains
- Rev’d Emma Barker
- Rev’d Craig Bentley
- Rev’d Paddy Jackson
- Rev’d Claire McClelland
- Rev’d Richard McLaughlin
- Rev’d Huw Sperring
- Imam Abdullah Kola
- Imam Ali Rahman
- Father Mariadass
- Mr Jeremy Bernstein
- Mr Aharon Sandler
- Mr Jaswinder Singh
- Mr Nayankumar Vyas
Chaplains provide a 24 hour on-call service every day. They will respond to urgent requests within one hour. They may not be on site, and may have a distance to travel, so please call sooner rather than later.
Contact us
To get in touch with a member of our chaplaincy staff you can:
- Ask a member of staff to contact them on your behalf.
- Contact the on-call chaplain yourself directly on 0191 244 8129 (8.30am to 4.30pm).
- Ask our switchboard 0191 233 6161 to contact the on-call chaplain for you (4.30pm – 8.30am).
- For non-urgent referrals only, please email [email protected]
