Chaplaincy

The team includes representatives from Christian and Muslim faiths, but equally supports people of any faith or belief group, and also those without faith.

Contact us

24 hour on-call service

On-call Chaplains are available 24 hours a day throughout the year. To call out a Chaplain at any time, phone 0300 304 7777, say 'Operator', and when answered ask them to page the On-call Chaplain.

Working hours / non-urgent

Tel: 01865 857921
Monday to Friday 8.00am - 4.00pm

Non-urgent email: chaplaincy@ouh.nhs.uk

COVID-19 update

We are able to offer visiting Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 4.00pm, and some out-of-hours visiting.

It is possible at times for a Chaplain to visit some COVID-19 patients, depending on which ward they are in.

Where a Chaplain cannot visit, we can speak to patients, relatives or staff by video apps on smartphones or by telephone.

Please ask the staff caring for you or your relative/friend to contact a Chaplain.

Laminated A5 prayer cards for different religions/denominations are also available on wards.

About us

The Chaplaincy team includes representative ministers from the major Christian and Muslim faiths. We work with faith advisors and trained volunteers from a wide range of faith backgrounds and traditions, to provide respectful and comprehensive spiritual care to all our patients, families and staff.

We can offer advice on cultural and religious issues and concerns related to all aspects of hospital care. We can also contact local or nominated ministers, priests or faith leaders for you or your family members.

Need to talk?

Coming into hospital for any reason, or visiting somebody who is in pain or distress, can be an unsettling experience. Questions, fears and anxieties can affect your wellbeing and ability to adjust to the demands of illness and treatment.

We have time to listen

Chaplains are integral members of the healthcare team, employed to care for the pastoral and spiritual needs of the whole hospital community - regardless of their beliefs.

We offer confidential, professional support and pastoral counselling in a friendly and unhurried manner.

Although we regularly visit the wards, we may miss you, or you may be busy when we call in. Please ask your nurse if you would like us to call again.

Our team

Sarah Sewell

Lead Chaplain

Geoff Morgan

Cara Heafey

Father Mark Odion

Roman Catholic

Andrew Williams

Quiet spaces

Spaces for prayer and worship are available on all sites.

John Radcliffe Hospital

• Chapel / prayer room, main corridor, Level 2
• Smaller prayer space, LG2, West Wing

Churchill Hospital

• Quiet space opposite WH Smith, main entrance, Surgery and Diagnostics
• Chapel / prayer room close to OCDEM, access via old main entrance, Car Park 4
  Sir Michael Sobell House Hospice
• Chapel / prayer room on the main inpatient ward corridor
  

Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

The Sanctuary: a prayer space on the first floor

Horton General Hospital

Chapel / prayer room on the main corridor

Katharine House Hospice

Chapel / prayer room on the main corridor

All prayer spaces are kept open 24 hours a day. Resources are available for people from all faith backgrounds and traditions, including prayer mats and a selection of spiritual reading.

Religious services

• Chaplains are available to pray with, or for, patients and families.
• The Christian sacraments of communion / mass or anointing the sick at the bedside are available on request (however we regret we are unable to provide this service safely to COVID-19 patients).
• Religious ministry from all faith traditions can be arranged on request.
• Details of weekly services for congregational prayer are advertised on the notice boards outside each chapel / prayer room.
• Online interfaith prayers

Staff support

Chaplains are available for confidential staff support, informal listening, pastoral debriefing and education.

Visiting ministers and faith leaders

Please see our guidance for visiting ministers and faith leaders at the link below.

Guidance for visiting ministers and faith leaders (pdf, 218 KB)