For many patients and their families, being ill or experiencing a trauma of some kind can turn their world upside down. It can challenge identity and purpose: how they see themselves and their relationships. Our chaplaincy team’s aim is to enhance patient and carer experience and offer support to staff.
Our chaplains are available to support and spend time with everyone regardless of faith. They are experienced in working with people from all faith communities and to those who identify with no faith.
The spiritual care we offer is about valuing and respecting who people are, whatever their religion, culture, background, gender or sexuality. Our chaplaincy team have no agenda or tick lists. Instead, we aim simply to be there, to support patients, relatives and staff alike through both the extraordinary and the ordinary.
Our chaplaincy team provide:
- Spiritual and pastoral care: emotional support
- Confidential one-on-one conversations at times of stress and uncertainty
- Time and space to explore your thoughts and feelings
- A supportive ear to someone who just wants to talk
- A caring, sensitive and non-judgmental ear for someone who just wants to talk
- Worship and reflection
- Religious care, where appropriate, in response to your individual needs.
- Support alongside the palliative care team
The team is available at all times, including weekends and bank holidays.
Spirituality Centres
We have hospital spirituality centres at both the University Hospital of North Tees and the University Hospital of Hartlepool. Services are held on Sundays throughout the year at North Tees, including Christmas and Easter services, and an annual remembrance service is held every year for people who are bereaved over the loss of children or babies.
Our multi-faith rooms provide a welcoming area for all, especially those of traditional faith.
There are ablution facilities, spiritual resources and books for various faith traditions.
Locations
North Tees Spirituality Centre
Located on the ground floor, near the main tower block.
Hartlepool Spirituality Centre
Located ground floor, opposite women’s ultrasound.
Oasis Suites
We know that having a loved one in hospital when they are approaching the end of their life is a very difficult and emotional time.
We have two types of Oasis Suites at the University Hospital of North Tees that provide a haven for families of patients who are at the end of their lives.
Main Tower Block Suites
Based within Wards 24, 26 and 28, our tower block oasis suites are integrated into the wards, offering end of life care that supports both patient and family members together in one conducive environment.
West Wing Suite
Our West wing Oasis Suite is outside of ward 42. This suite is furnished entirely from charitable donations and provides a peaceful space for family members away from the ward environment.
You can bring your refreshments to the room to make a drink, have something to eat or just have some quiet time. The room has all of the comforts you need, including a sofa, bathroom, sitting area and a kitchen.
Contact us
If you are in hospital and you would like a chaplain to visit yourself or a family member for pastoral support, simply ask a member of ward staff to contact the chaplaincy department on your behalf.
Alternatively, you can phone the chaplaincy department directly during office hours.
If no chaplains are present, there is a facility to leave non-urgent messages and we will respond as soon as we are able.
If you wish to request a chaplain for an emergency out-of-hours call, please speak to the ward staff who will contact the “on-call” chaplain.
Phone:
01642 383138
Volunteering within chaplaincy
If you are interested in becoming a chaplaincy volunteer, you can find more information on our volunteering page.