Patient Confidentiality
Patient information is always held by all NHS staff, including Chaplains, in confidence. The Chaplaincy service has access to a very limited amount of patient information collected by the Trust. This information provides the Chaplaincy service with personal information such as your name, address, religion, and ward details. If you do not wish the Chaplaincy service to have access to this personal information please contact a member of staff. The Chaplaincy service does not access any of your treatment or clinical details.
The Chaplaincy Team
The Chaplains work together as an ecumenical chaplaincy Team. The full-time Chaplains are:
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Father Eric Kemball - Roman Catholic Chaplain
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The Rev. John Austerberry - Church of England Chaplain
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The Rev. Leo Varquez - Church of England Chaplain
Part-time locum Chaplains:
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The Rev. Stuart Hickerman - Methodist
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The Rev. Nita Edwards - Church of England
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Father The - Quang Nguyen - Roman Catholic
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Rev Neil Adlington - Roman Catholic
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Father Peter Weatherby
They are supported by Chaplaincy volunteers such as Eucharistic Ministers, pastoral visitors and volunteers at the Sunday Service.
Spiritual, Religious and Pastoral Care
Illness, suffering and bereavement affect most people physically and emotionally, but they may also present a spiritual challenge. The chaplaincy team is available to support you and help you make sense of what you might be going through, whether you are a patient, relative, carer or member of staff, member of a faith community or not. The Chaplains can do this by providing a friendly, listening ear, by helping you to address the worries you may be feeling.
Caring for the whole person includes providing spiritual and emotional support during times of joy or suffering, calm or crisis, at the beginning of life or the end of life. The chaplains are prepared to assist in your spiritual journey through prayer, religious sacraments, or simply by listening to your story.
"Spiritual" does not always mean the same thing as "Religious". You do not have to feel you are a "religious" person or be a regular worshipper to make use of the Chaplaincy Team.
The Christian Chaplains can bring the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Anointing on the ward for those unable to attend any of the Chapel services. And a Chaplain can be available to hear your confession.
How to contact the Chaplains for a visit
Members of the Chaplaincy team regularly visit the wards. Referrals can be made by telephoning the Chaplain's Office on 01782 552252
The Chaplain's Office is on at the City General site, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent.
In an emergency
If you need to see a chaplain urgently a member of staff can contact one by paging the On-call Chaplain via the switchboard. The Chaplains provide a 24-hour On-call Service.
Worship Facilities & Times of Services
The Mosque
The Mosque is opposite the Parish Buildings at the City General. It is available for Muslim Prayers. The key code can be obtained from the Chaplains.
The Christian Chapels
The Chapels are available for prayer and quiet reflection.
The Royal Infirmary Chapel is near main Theatre and is open 24 hours a day.
The City General Chapel is close to the parish Buildings and temporary Staff Restaurant, and is normally open during the day.
Provision for Other Faiths
The Chaplaincy Service seeks to provide for the religious needs of various faith groups. You may prefer to contact a representative from your own particular faith community. The Chaplaincy has contacts with various local faith groups throughout the community and nationally. We are happy to try to help you make contact with a representative to meet your needs.
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Chaplaincy for more information.