Chaplaincy

Chaplains are employed by the Trust to provide confidential support and pastoral care to patients, carers and staff. We provide a confidential listening service which is open to all regardless of age, gender, religion, sexual orientation or any other form of diversity.

We recognise that illness and injury can affect people's whole lives, not just their bodies. Illness can bring added anxieties which people may find difficult to share with those closest to them. Members of the team are available to sit with patients, relatives and staff to listen attentively and help them work through their thoughts, feelings and experiences. We are also able to call on the services of representatives of other faiths and we are supported in our work by trained volunteers who often spend time on the wards visiting patients.

Our team can be identified by official badges and, like all hospital staff, we are bound by strict confidentiality rules.

The hospital’s Prayer Space and Quiet Room is also available at all times of the night and day as a place of quiet reflection and prayer for all. You can find the Prayer Space and Quiet Room in the South Wing on Level 3. Washing facilities are available in the side room next to the Prayer Room.

Our hospital chaplains are normally available between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and are on-call outside of these hours 24/7. 

If you wish to speak to a hospital chaplain you can tell a member of staff you wish to see one and they can contact them or you can call 01305 255198 and leave a message.

Alternatively, you can email chaplains@dchft.nhs.uk

If the matter is urgent you can phone switchboard on 01305 251150 and ask them to contact the on-call chaplain.

Our chaplains are:
Lead Chaplain Reverend Jean Saddington (Church of England)
Reverend Jimmy Holden (Church of England)
Reverend Kate Wyles (Church of England)
Reverend Filip Lommaert (Greek Orthodox)
Reverend Babu Francis (Roman Catholic)