Care and Support

Our multi-faith Chaplaincy Team supports people of all faiths and none. Chaplains and ward visitors are available to offer care to patients, their families and staff members. We offer a friendly, listening ear. We are available to pray with you, if you wish. We are here for you at any time.

• The team consists of Chaplains from the Church of England (also known as ‘Anglican’ or C of E), the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, a number of Pentecostal Churches (including Black-led) and the Roman Catholic Church (RC).
• Each Chaplain works with any patient, member of staff or volunteer regardless of denomination, unless a request is for the tradition of a particular church. This is especially true for those who are RC and so they are usually seen by a Religious Sister (Nun) on the Team, but can also ask for a Priest to be called in for certain rites, eg Confession, End of Life care.

• There are Muslim prayers on Fridays in the Chapel at City and Seminar room and Mosque at Queens. The team includes a Muslim (Islam) Imam and female Muslim Pastoral Officers.
• The Team also includes an Administrator and, at QMC, a Youth Worker.
• There are a number of volunteer Ward Visitors (WV) as well, who visit wards regularly on weekday mornings. Some of our volunteer ward visitors visit for specific faiths.
• On Sunday mornings, a group of people known as Eucharistic Ministers come from local churches to take Holy Communion (HC) to the bedside for patients who have requested it. This is a small bread wafer with a drop of wine on it, but if a patient is not well or Nil by Mouth, then prayer can be offered instead. Staff can ask to receive as well, or contact us to arrange it at another time.

In QMC, the Chapel, Gurdwara, Mandir, Mosque and Synagogue are all situated on D floor, East Block.

At City Hospital the Chapel is situated on north corridor (N17) and the Muslim Prayer Room on south corridor next to Sherwood Hall (S5). All are open for quiet reflection and prayers at all times.

Ask a member on the ward staff to contact us and we will come to see you.

For more information, please contact: Dept. of Spiritual and Pastoral Care
If you want us quickly, ask Switchboard to bleep the on-call chaplain.
QMC Campus D Floor, East Block Ext. 63799
City Hospital North Corridor Ext. 56187



What else do we do?


Many people have preconceived ideas about what Chaplains actually do. Some see us as one step ahead of the undertaker and some think we are around to preach at and convert our patients. Nothing could be further from the truth. Of course we are here to minister to the dying, but that is only a small part of our work. We would not dream of preaching at or trying to convert anyone and we only see patients if they have been referred by staff, relatives or their own church and only then with the patient’s permission.

As Chaplains we work as part of the whole healthcare team looking after the spiritual, religious, cultural and pastoral needs of patients, relatives and staff. We offer a listening ear to people of all faiths and none. We work wherever there are people, even in the Coffee Shops!

Sometimes, members of staff come to the Chapel with a particular purpose, a dilemma for which they need someone who is impartial and non-judgemental, or perhaps with a concern about how they feel. Our Pastoral role covers anything, for anyone, at any time - we are a 24/7 service.

Our Spiritual role covers engaging with questions like, ‘why me?’ or ‘how do I break bad news?’ or the sudden impact of being faced with thoughts of dying (this can be especially hard when involved with a dying person who is of a similar age or background. We can help with the search for meaning and it’s not just about a religious response. It’s about being alongside another person, listening to their questions or worries and helping them explore possible answers.

Our religious roles may include praying, leading memorial services, end of life prayers, baptism, blessings, confession and absolution for example.

Here are some more examples of how we work:

• A large part of our work is caring for staff. We offer a listening ear, you just have to give us a call and this service is totally confidential.
• We offer training courses for staff on various subjects which we run on request.
• We can attend staff meetings to discuss any ethical issues or to debrief staff following upsetting incidents. We also attend Board Meetings for example at Hayward House.
• We carry out various Services, including emergency baptisms, the naming and blessing of babies, renewal of wedding vows, wedding blessings, and funerals of babies and facilitate emergency marriages. In the case of baby deaths we have an administrative as well as a pastoral role.
• We can provide information about religious customs, festivals and cultural activities. You will find a file on your ward called the Multi-Faith A-Z. This is a Chaplaincy Services Folder providing information on a wide range of these and we are available to help if you want further information.
• We work as closely as we can with other caring agencies for example Macmillan, Maggies, Linden Lodge.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, you’re not alone. Find out what to expect, get information, practical advice and support, hear from experts and read about other people’s experiences at the Macmillan Cancer Support Website. 

Alternatively if you need to speak to someone, you can also call the Macmillan Support line, free of charge on: 0808 808 00 00*  Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm.

*Calls are free from most mobile networks

 

If you deaf or hard of hearing

Macmillan also offer a textphone service. You can call the Macmillan Support Line using the Next Generation Text Service (NGT) by dialling 18001 0808 808 00 00.

If you have a computer, tablet or smartphone

You can download the NGT Lite app for free. The NGT app works by connecting you to a relay assistant who reads to the other person the words you've typed, and types to you their reply.

For more information about the Next Generation Text Service, how to download the app and how to use it, please visit the Next Generation Text Service website.

We know that sometimes help and support is needed outside of working hours. Additional to the contact information we provide you with during your appointments, below are some of the lines of support available to you:

• Online Community- The Macmillan online community is always open and full of people ready to listen and offer support.

Join today at macmillan.org.uk/community.

• Other support lines- If you need to talk to someone when our phone service is closed, you could contact any of these 24-hour services:
  • NHS 111 on 111 for England 
  • NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 for Wales
  • NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland
  • Samaritans on 116 123

A professionally supported group offering 1:1 buddying, telephone or group support to anyone affected by head, neck or mouth cancer, in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire - with training sponsored by Macmillan.

What do they offer?

Runs a monthly support group every first Wednesday of the month for patients, family & friends. They provide an opportunity to meet and talk to others who have already been treated for head, neck or mouth cancer to share experiences and possibly pick up some tips to make life a little bit easier. All volunteers can also help to signpost to other support services and charities.

They also offer telephone and face-to-face support or 'buddying' using fully trained former patients and carers - to be a shoulder to cry on or just someone to talk to. Whilst also running coffee mornings and social events at Maggie's centre for patients, family and friends.

For more information you can also speak to a volunteer on Thursday afternoons at the QMC in the ENT clinic waiting area. This service will also soon be available at Kingsmill hospital 

All volunteers are signatories of the confidentiality policy and are DBS approved. 

How do I contact them?

Website:Heads2gether
Telephone:0800 0234550
Address: Maggie's Centre, Gate 3, Nottingham City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PH

Maggie’s centres have been built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals to provide free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, following the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks.

What do they offer?
Maggie's Centres are places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need to find practical advice about benefits and eating well; places where qualified experts provide emotional support; places to meet other people; places where you can simply sit quietly with a cup of tea. Click on the following link to find out more:
https://www.maggiescentres.org/how-maggies-can-help/help-available/?category=practicalsupport

How do I contact them?
Website: https://www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-nottingham/
Telephone: 0115 924 6210
Email: nottingham@maggiescentre.org
Address: Maggie's Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham NG5 1PH
Opening times: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

The Swallows is a nationwide Head and Neck Cancer Support Charity which was formed by patients who have a lot of difficulty with swallowing after their cancer treatment.  It is a support group which organises monthly meetings (in Blackpool) and provides practical information for both patients and their carers. They also have a 24/7 Support Line service: 01253 428 940 or can be contacted by email: info@theswallows.org.uk

For further information please visit their Website:

The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group

NALC is a nationwide organisation of almost 80 clubs offering a range of services to Laryngectomees and their families and carers. A major role of the clubs is to provide the sort of non-medical help and information that can only come from the experience of living with a laryngectomy.

What do they offer?

• CLAN Our quarterly newsletter keeps members up to date with laryngectomee developments and activities in our affiliated clubs.

• Education Programme: We contribute sessions to training days for nurses and emergency service workers to advise on the needs of neckbreathers. We are a partner of the National Tracheostomy Safety Project.

• Hospital Visits: We can arrange a visitor for a patient before or after their laryngectomy.

• Information for Clinicians: We provide leaflets for medical staff especially nurses in hospitals, community nurses, emergency service workers and speech therapists.

• Information for Patients: We provide leaflet and DVDs to help patients before and after their laryngectomy operation. We are approved by the Information Standard as a reliable information provider.

• Patient Days: Information events for laryngectomees and carers are organised several times a year in varying parts of the country, most recently in Scotland and the East Midlands.

• Providing a Patient Voice: Our members provide a patient voice on groups organised by NICE, NCRI, NCIN and NHS England.

• Research: We support relevant studies and clinical trials in their applications for funding and our members contribute by reviewing patient leaflets and joining steering committees.

• Social Media: We have a Youtube channel and a Facebook page.

• Swimming: We can provide training and assistance to laryngectomees wishing to return to swimming.

• Support for Local Groups: Our officers visit clubs on request, especially to help new or changing groups.

• Telephone Advice: Our London office provides a nationwide resource for laryngectomees who need help and advice

How do I contact them?
Website:http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/
Telephone: 020 7730 8585
Address: National Association of Laryngectomee ClubsSuite 16Tempo House15 Falcon Road London SW11 2PJ

The Macmillan charity has teamed up with Self Help UK to provide support to anyone in Nottinghamshire who has a cancer diagnosis, or is still living with the emotional or physical after-effects of cancer or treatments. This is part of the ‘Beyond Diagnosis’ Project.

Many people find it difficult to talk to people close to them about receiving a diagnosis of cancer or can find that they become isolated as a result of illness or treatment. The aim of the organisation is to provide support for these people and help them to feel less alone.

Trained volunteers can provide a variety of support including buddies and one to one support either by phone or face to face.

They can provide social support or simply be a person to talk to.

They have volunteers who can support you by leading survivorship self help groups or support you to develop your own group. 

All our volunteers are referenced, trained and fully DBS checked.

 

For more information please visit: www.selfhelp.org.uk/beyonddiagnosis/