Spiritual Care
Spiritual Care seeks to help individuals find hope, meaning and purpose in the midst of illness or uncertainty; affirming that tears and laughter, pain and joy are all part of normal human experience.
Talking to someone who is part of the wider hospital team but not involved directly in an individual’s clinical care, can help with overcoming the feelings of anxiety and fear which may be experienced when coming into hospital.
Healthcare Chaplains are part of the healthcare team. Trained in listening and responding to an individual’s needs, Chaplains offer support to people of all faiths, as well as those with no particular faith.
Support is confidential and provided in a sensitive, neutral way; helping people find comfort, meaning, and strength, during difficult and worrying times.
Healthcare Chaplains work alongside patients, carers, and staff to ensure that patients remain at the centre of wellbeing and decision making, providing:
Click here to download information about spiritual care in English
How to contact us
Any member of staff can contact an on-call chaplain for you via the hospital switchboard. If for any reason you need to contact a chaplain from outside the hospital, please call: –
- Royal Edinburgh Hospital 0131 537 6516
- Royal Hospital for Children and Young People 0131 312 0168
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh & Liberton Hospitals 0131 242 1990
- St John’s Hospital, Livingston 01506 522188
- Western General Hospital 0131 537 1400
For all other NHS Lothian hospitals, clinics and units where there is no site-based chaplain, contact details are available from the Spiritual Care Offices at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital (Primary Care, Community and Mental Health Services) and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (Acute).
