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The Patient Experience - support with worries and concerns

This picture is inside the Chapel

The Chaplaincy Departments

A chaplain is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members of the chaplaincy team are happy to talk to patients and their families, not only about specifically religious matters, but about any more general spiritual concerns.

In emergencies they can be contacted via switchboard, ask switboard to page the duty chaplain for you. In non-emergencies contact the chaplains via the following phone numbers.

  • Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Department for Brighton Ext. 4122.

  • Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Department for Haywards Heath Ext. 8232. 

For information on religions, please see Religions and Ethics and religious festivals.


What happens to someone who is admitted to hospital?

  • Patients are away from what is familiar
  • They may be unsure about what is going to happen to them, physically or emotionally
  • They may be unsure about how long they may be in hospital
  • They may be unsure about what will happen when they return home
  • They can become frightened, anxious and fearful
  • They can have plenty of time to think and begin to question all kinds of things


What can BSUH offer patients and those close to them?

We are always looking after and caring for a whole person — not just treating symptoms or sorting out problems.

  • We are always aware that our patients do not necessarily understand our routines and practices
  • We are aware that a patient might have needs which are not familiar to us, but would help them feel more relaxed
  • We are aware that spiritual and religious beliefs might be important to our patients
  • We are aware that different things might help the healing process for different people


So how can BSUH help?

  • We can be confident in asking patients what matters to them, what do they believe in, do they have any spiritual or religious beliefs.
  • We do not need to talk about ourselves, but can let the patient talk
  • We can be confident in asking if patients have any particular needs whilst they are staying with us
  • If we are not sure about how to respond, then we can suggest that we find someone who might be able to help
  • We can be confident in asking patients if they would like to talk to someone about their spiritual or religious beliefs

The chaplaincy team are a resource available to the patients, to those close to them, and to staff. In cases of emergency, a chaplain is available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.

Contact the chaplaincy team in Brigthon on Ext. 4122, in Haywards Heath on Ext. 8232.

In cases of emergency, a chaplain is available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. In urgent cases, contact the switchboard and they will page the duty chaplain.