Primary Healthcare Chaplaincy Service
Why Chaplaincy?
In time of poor health or other crises within our lives, we often need more than just a prescription for tablets from our doctor. We sometimes need help in finding the inner strength to cope with our difficulties, to rediscover a sense of hope, meaning or purpose, to ease the emotional pain of suffering, and to know that we have someone to talk to and with whom we can share our burden.
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from meeting with someone from the chaplaincy service, please ask at reception on how to contact the Chaplaincy Volunteer for your GP surgery.
Care through Chaplaincy
There is evidence* to show how spirituality and religion positively affects many aspects of health. Although our society is becoming increasingly secular, studies show that those of us who pray, meditate or are part of a religious community, are most likely to make a successful recovery from illness, have lower incidence of some illnesses, and may live longer than those who are not spiritual or religious.
People following religious or spiritual practices have lower suicide rates, less anxiety and depression, recover faster from depression, are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, have a greater sense of optimism and general well-being, consider their lives hold greater purpose and meaning, have higher levels of social support, better immunity to infections, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, less heart disease, better recovery rates from heart disease, less sleep problems, lower death rates from cancer, are less likely to smoke and more likely to take regular exercise. Regular religious attendance can add an extra seven years to life.
If you would like to find out more about how Chaplaincy services can help you or someone you know or would like to talk about any of these points please contact the Chaplaincy service or talk to your GP, nurse or Health Professional at the surgery.
*Harold G. Koenig (Editor) Handbook of Religion and Mental Health (Waltham: Academics Press, 1998)
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is about meaning in life and relationships to others (including a god or gods) and can be expressed in many ways including music, art, nature, community or family. Spiritual practices include meditation and yoga, or undertaking voluntary work and contributing to the local community. Religion may influence the development of such relationships or there may be no religious association.
– Penny Sartory, PhD, RGN Nursing Times, July 2010
I would like to find out more
You don’t have to wait to be referred to the Chaplaincy service, neither do you have to be a member of a church to access the service. You don’t even need to think of yourself as religious or to believe in God. Many people who have never been to church still have spiritual needs. The Chaplaincy Volunteers worth within healthcare in a non-denominational manner and will be happy to assist you with whatever your spiritual needs, difficulties or questions may be.
The service is available for people of any faith, and also those without faith.
Name of Chaplaincy Volunteer – Cally Creese
