The Chapel

The Chapel and Chaplaincy

From an article written by Rev. Don Wrapson, last chaplain to the Acci

Stain glass window – chapel
  • No matter the size of the hospital, whatever hospital you are in (small or large) there is always chaplaincy cover
  • Regular Sunday morning services to which staff and patients fit to leave the ward may attend either independently or pushed there by volunteers in their beds
  • Major role at the bedside in a 24 hour a day availability. There was always a Church of England, Roman Catholic and Free Church minister available.
  • Chaplains employed by the NHS in a sessional basis according to number of patients of each religious denomination
  • Acci Chaplain shared with Selly Oak Chaplaincy
  • Acci and Selly Oak had over 800 beds there was a whole time Church of England chaplain who was supported at the Acci by a part time Roman Catholic chaplain and a part time Free Church chaplain
  • Role to provide for the spiritual needs of the patients, their families and staff.
  • Spiritual needs in the time of trauma:
    • People open up and speak of their teaching
    • Feeling of fear
    • Feeling of being lost
    • Feeling of need
    • Sometimes feeling of guilt
    • Feeling of loneliness
    • Wanting a “shoulder to cry on”
    • Wanting an ear to listen
    • A voice to utter their prayers
    • A guide to lead them to God
  • Chaplain prayed with hundreds of patients every week because they expected him to.  He shared their fears and loneliness
  • Some helped with sacramental ministry
  • For the conscious dying, offering consolation and gently explain the hope that a Christian can have life beyond death
  • Prayer and faith following trauma does not assist a patient’s recovery, yet faith is certainly the greatest comforter and encouraged when a patient is dying
  • Chaplaincy work took the chaplain into people’s homes when they are discharged.  Sometimes the chaplains work is intensified.  They have left the security of hospital and pain other than physical need to be dealt with.  People often prefer this.
  • Chaplain they have met and got to know in hospital rather than their local priest or minister they may not know
  • Frequent calls from staff for advice from the chaplain, for doctors to porter.  May include anything from advice about getting a baby baptised to complex grief following the death of a patient