Hospital Chaplaincies
Northern Ireland
David Simpson (Upper Bann, DUP)
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how members of churches other than the four main churches are provided for by way of hospital chaplaincies at each hospital in Northern Ireland.
Shaun Woodward (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office; St Helens South, Labour)
Each HSS Trust has appointed chaplains from the Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Methodist churches to provide pastoral support and other services in each Trust hospital. Hospital chaplaincy services provided by Trusts for members of other denominations are set out in the following table.
| HSS Trust | Service |
|---|---|
| Altnagelvin HSS Trust | The Methodist chaplains provide a service for other denominations. |
| Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust | At St. Luke's, Longstone and Mullinure hospitals, the Methodist chaplains provide a service for other denominations in the first instance. If requested to do so, the Trust organizes specific religious attendances for members of a non-Christian Church or faith. |
| Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust | The Methodist Chaplain makes an initial visit to patients who do not belong to one of the four main churches. If requested to do so, the Methodist Chaplain would liaise with the appropriate faith leader to ensure that patients receive the necessary pastoral support. |
| Causeway HSS Trust | The Methodist Chaplain is responsible for co-ordinating the pastoral needs of those patients who do not belong to one of the four main denominations. Causeway Hospital Chapel is interdenominational reflecting a Christian ethos. Patients who are not Christian, or who do not practise any religion and who do not wish to use the Chapel, can use a quiet room for reflection as organised by the Ward Manager. |
| Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust | The Methodist Chaplain has responsibility for the care of members of other religious groups who do not fall within the four main denominations. |
| Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust | Within the Psychiatric Unit, which is situated on Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust site, all Wards have contact numbers for those churches other than the four main churches. The Psychiatric Unit avails of the services provided by Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust, such as the Church facility, which is a multi-faith church. The Trust also facilitates requests from patients within the Psychiatric Unit, who wish to have contact with their own Minister. |
| Down Lisburn HSS Trust | The Methodist Chaplain provides a service for other denominations and is the link for patients and their spiritual provider. |
| Foyle HSS Trust | If an individual requires the assistance of a church outside the four main denominations, hospital staff at Stradreagh, Gransha or Waterside Hospitals would make contact with the local church. |
| Homefirst | If requested, any of the four chaplains at Holy well hospital would provide the initial link between patients from other denominations or religious faiths and their cleric/faith leader. |
| Mater Hospital HSS Trust | If a patient is from a church other than the four main churches, the Trust asks the patient if they wish to contact a chaplain, or if they wish the Trust to do this on their behalf. For any other issues, the Trust involves the Patient Support Officer. |
| Newry and Mourne HSS Trust | The Methodist chaplain makes an initial visit to patients who do not belong to one of the four main churches. On request, the Methodist Chaplain would liaise with the appropriate faith leader to ensure that patients receive the necessary pastoral support. |
| North and West Belfast HSS Trust | The Methodist minister looks after the spiritual needs of patients who do not belong to one of the four main churches. |
| Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust | The Royal hospitals chaplaincy service accommodates all Christian and non-Christian faiths. For patients of non-Christian denominations, the Trust's Chaplains liaise with faith representatives in the community to ensure that patients obtain support from their individual faith leaders. The Trust also provides a quiet room for visitors and patients for Christian and non-Christian prayer. Prayer mats, copies of the Koran, Hebrew scriptures, Hebrew Bible and washing facilities are also available. |
| South and East Belfast HSS Trust | The hospital administration and nursing departments contact other clerics/faith leaders as required for other denominations. |
| Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust | The Methodist Chaplain looks after patients with unknown" or other" religions. |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust | The Methodist Chaplain deals with all other denominations outside of the main churches. Contact details for the local Rabbi for the Jewish community and a representative for Jehovah Witness are available if they are required. |
| United Hospitals Trust | In Whiteabbey, Mid Ulster, Antrim and Braid Valley hospitals, the Methodist Chaplain deals with all denominations outside of the main churches. The Presbyterian Chaplain provides this service at Moyle Hospital. |