During a briefing visit with the Chaplaincy Service at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Repatriation Campus, I learnt the following information about the work of the chaplains and the various reasons for which people request their ministry. I have their permission to share this helpful information with you. Please hold their ministry in prayer.

Chaplains work both denominationally and are also allocated to inpatient  and are part of the multidisciplinary team working together for the wellbeing of the patient.

Admission to hospital for treatment can cause a major crisis for patients and their families and carers. It can be a period of uncertainty and insecurity and often a time of separation from the people and community of which they are part.

It has the potential to start people questioning significant life issues and to question personal and spiritual relationships.

Pastoral care in its broadest sense is any form of sincere concern extended by one person toward another who is in need, and is performed with some degree of consciousness of God’s presence and love.

10 Reasons Why you Might Ask a Chaplain to Visit You

1. You would like someone to pray with you for extra strength.
2. You would like your community clergy person to come and visit, but you don’t know how to contact him/her.
3. You would like to have Holy Communion.
4. You have spiritual questions you would like to talk to someone about.
5. You or a loved one is going to have surgery or an important procedure and you would like to have someone say a prayer with you / your family beforehand.
6. You would like to talk to someone who is not a doctor, nurse, or somehow involved in caring for your medical needs.
7. There is an ethical question that is bothering you and you would like a safe person to talk to.
8. You are wondering about where God is because you feel like God is not listening to your prayers.
9. You are scared and just want someone to talk to.
10. You are thinking about having your baby baptized, blessed or dedicated.

Chaplaincy services operate at many hospitals in Tasmania. Please contact your local hospital for chaplaincy services. At the Royal Hobart Hospital the Chapel and Chaplaincy Department operates Monday – Friday 9.00 am to 5:00 pm and is located on:1st Floor C Block, Ext  8487. A Duty Chaplain is on call after hours.