Page 22 - News Autumn_winter 2025 fv

YOU'RE

JUST THE

PERSON

Paul Walker (pictured above) has been involved in What would a typical day look like - if there is such a
Hospital Chaplaincy for over 35 years. As current Head thing?
of Chaplaincy for one of the largest UK NHS Trusts -
caring for over 6,000 staff and 1,000 inpatients - we Each day varies depending on which hospital site a
Chaplain is working from. It may commence with a prayer
asked Paul to give us an insight into his work. in the Hospital Chapel (if there is one). Prayer is seen as
I am married to Jane (whose testimony you can read crucial both for the individual as well for the support
on page 17); we have four grown up sons and six of the patients, staff and visitors to our sites. Then any
grandchildren. I currently live in Essex where I have urgent messages and referrals need to be responded to.
pastored churches, worked on mental health wards Chaplains will seek to visit the varied wards to meet new
and worked as an NHS Hospital Chaplain – although and current patients. Being ‘present’ is very important in
for a period we lived and carried out mission work in order that individuals are aware chaplaincy is available
Swaziland (Southern Africa). to encourage and draw alongside as well as provide
spiritual care/support/prayer/Communion or Scriptures
I trained at Theological College, was ordained in 1985 and as requested.
have a degree in Mental Health Nursing.
Paul, what are the main roles and responsibilities of a Chaplains are also called on for training staff in spiritual
and religious understanding as well as funerals and
Hospital Chaplain?
events such as Remembrance Day etc.
My NHS role involves leading teams of employed and Do Hospital Chaplains conduct ‘church’ services in
volunteer Chaplains making spiritual care available to all hospitals e.g. Bible teaching, worship, Communion,
patients and staff.
prayer?
NHS Chaplains are “employed to take part in the
provision of appropriate high-quality pastoral, cultural, All NHS Chaplaincy is provided as ‘service user led’.
This means Chaplains do not impose or ‘Bible bash’ but
emotional, and spiritual care to patients, their relatives
and staff within a Trust which is sensitive to culture, faith instead draw alongside and offer spiritual care where a
person wants their assistance.
and belief, including participation in the out-of-hours on-
call service. When people are admitted to hospital (whether as
an emergency or planned), they often have time to
The Chaplains role is to arrange, and participate in a reflect and reassess their attitudes to life, their values,
person-centred, pastorally responsive service for the relationships, morals, and beliefs. The Hospital Chaplains
pastoral, emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual
needs of patients, carers, staff, and volunteers, and be are frequently people to whom patients and staff turn at
such times of need or crisis.
flexible in dealing with an unpredictable work pattern
due to unexpected requests while ensuring adequate Many individuals request prayer or Communion and,
training/support of those involved in this.” if possible, these are made available. GOOD NEWS for
Everyone! Hospital Bibles are also regularly requested
and received.
Some hospitals hold Sunday services, and, for many
years, I was involved in leading teams of local Christians

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