The Role of the Spiritual Care Department is to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, their families and hospital staff, by coordinating the services offered by hospital chaplains and pastoral visitors from community churches and faith groups.
- Serve as a laison between health care providers and faith groups.
- Provide spiritual care to all persons who have no religious affiliation and require assistance with the meaning of suffering, illness, healing and recovery. This service is offered through the work Staff Chaplains.
- Initiate the provision of spiritual and religious support to all patients and families who request these services through a 24 hour on call system, Spiritual Assessments and by linking people to Clergy, Denominational Chaplains and Lay Visitors from their faith community.
- Recognize the importance of Multi-cultural and Multi-faith issues as they pertain to the holistic treatment and recovery of patients.
- In collaboration with community clergy, we provide chapel spaces for meditation, as well as leading worship services, memorial services, and other appropriate community events within the Capital Health District.
- Train and supervise Spiritual Care Students and Volunteers using the standards of the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education.
Denominational chaplains are appointed by their church authorities and essentially minister to patients from their own churches/denominations. The denominations that have appointed chaplains are: Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Church.
Staff chaplains are Capital Health staff members who are assigned to specific units, services or clinics located throughout sites and facilities in Halifax and Dartmouth.
Students - Teaching Supervisors provide on staff train students in both a residency program and internship program. According to the standards of the Canadian Association of Pastoral Practice and Education.
Community Clergy and Lay Visitors provide religious care to patients and families who request their services. The department provides ID badges and coordinates their work.
Coverage
The department provides 24 hour coverage to patients and their families through an on call program for after hours, weekends and holidays. The on call service is accessed through pager #2494, via the locating service by calling: (902) 473-2220.
References:
White Paper on Chaplaincy, (2001)
Standards of Spiritual and Religious Care For Health Services in Canada, (2000)
Multi-faith Information Manual, (1995)
Last Updated: 6/7/2007 1:58:51 PM