Pastoral care
Who we are
Pastoral care workers are specially trained for working in health care and provide compassionate listening and considerate care to all clients, regardless of whatever health situation that client may be facing.
Pastoral care workers can be consulted on a diverse range of sensitive health situations. We work with other members of the health-care team to help achieve the best health outcomes for a client.
Pastoral care is a contemporary term for a model of emotional, social and spiritual support that can be found in all cultures and traditions.
This term is considered inclusive of support for people from religious communities as well as distinctly non-religious forms of support. People who work in pastoral care are trained professionals who are knowledgeable about specific religious beliefs and can perform certain religious ceremonies.
What we do
We provide pastoral care and spiritual support to clients and their families. Members of the pastoral care team work across all programs, including Acute Care, Long-term Care, and Mental Health and Addictions.
A client does not have to be a member of a religious group to receive pastoral care services.
- Listen and facilitate communication.
- Addressing culture and faith concerns.
- Respond to religious needs and spiritual distress.
- Support those facing crisis situations.
- Help people who are struggling to come to terms with their experience.
- Guide people through the grief process.
- Facilitate grief and bereavement support groups
- Speak with clients in their hospital rooms while they are inpatients.
- Pray with clients before their surgeries.
- Provide sacramental care such as the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing) and baptism/dedication/blessing of newborn babies in distress.
- Provide outpatient pastoral counselling.
- Organize worship events, such as church services or sing-a-longs in long -term care facilities for residents.
- Offer discussion groups such as “Spiritual Journey” for long-term care residents.
These services support a holistic approach to client care. Spiritual and religious beliefs can enhance health and well-being. Pastoral care employees collaborate as part of the health-care team to provide client care.
Who we see
We see people of all ages.
A client does not have to be a member of a religious group to receive pastoral care services.
Pastoral care and spiritual support services are available to clients and employees within Eastern Health.
How to access this service
In hospital
When you register at a hospital, you are given the opportunity to identify whether or not you would like to avail of pastoral care services. A request for a pastoral care visit can be made at any time.
For more information about pastoral care in the hospital setting, please contact us.
In long-term care
Pastoral care/spiritual supports are an important part of long-term care.
We aim to meet the spiritual needs for you and your family through church services, pastoral visitation and supportive counselling. The dates and times of services are displayed on the monthly activity calendars.
Some sites have full-time chaplains, while pastoral volunteers and community clergy provide this service at other sites. A resident does not have to be a member of a religious group to receive pastoral care services.
Other services we do:
- Organize worship events, such as church services or sing-a-longs.
- Offer discussion groups such as “Spiritual Journey” for long term care residents.
- Speake with residents in their rooms, offering supportive listening.
- Provide sacramental care such as the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing) and Holy Communion.
- Other activities specific to the needs of residents’ needs.
In the community
- Kidney Care Centre; working with individuals adjusting to life with a chronic disease.
- Provide grief and bereavement counselling (LINK).
- Partner with mental health and addictions programs such as Doorways, Recovery Centre, and Grace Rehabilitation Centre.
- Partner with the Fertility Clinic to support clients receiving fertility services.
- If the client provides consent, we can connect clients with community faith groups such as a church, mosque or temple. Many community faith groups offer pastoral care programming which can include spiritual discussion groups, twelve step programs, social events, or opportunities for prayer and meditation.
Where we are
We are in most hospitals in the Eastern Health region as well as in long-term facilities.
Hours of operation
Regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Chaplains are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How to reach us
For general inquiries:
Telephone: 709-777-8940
Administrative assistant: 709-777-6959
email: pastoralcare@easternhealth.ca
For pastoral care emergencies, please ask a health-care professional to page a chaplain through the switchboard.
Acute care
Pastoral Care Manager: 709-777-5908
Pastoral Care Clinician: 709-777-7611
Long-term care and rehabilitation
Pastoral Care Manager: 709-752-8798
Pastoral Care Clinician: 709-777-6751
Mental health and addictions
Pastoral care manager: 709-777-3545
Pastoral care clinician: 709-777-3546
Kidney Care Centre, Mount Pearl Square
Pastoral care clinician: 709-777-2236
Carbonear and Placentia
Pastoral care clinician: 709-945-6203
Clarenville, Bonavista and Burin Peninsulas
Pastoral care clinician: 709-466-6356