We aim to ensure that the spiritual and psychosocial values of patients, families and staff are treated with dignity and that where possible, the spiritual needs of these individuals are met while they are a patient, or working in the hospital.
The Women's upholds the World Health Organisation’s statement of respect for ‘the uniqueness of each person and the need to respond to each individual’s spiritual quest for meaning, purpose and belonging’ (1998).
For most people, their spirituality will include significant relationships and this may find expression in their involvement in community, religion, the natural environment, or art and music for example.
A hospital admission, witnessing a death or experiencing bereavement may also be the first occasion people seriously consider spiritual life, beliefs, faith or absence thereof.
Service
A patient, family member, visitors or staff members may wish to see a Spiritual Care Practitioner if they:
- are feeling lonely, upset, overwhelmed or fearful
- are celebrating a defining stage
- are grieving or experiencing a crisis
- are struggling with future decisions
- are having difficulty with their illness, treatment or care
- wish to explore questions of meaning or beliefs
- simply want a friendly, listening ear.
Specialities
We are committed to providing an inclusive service that meets the spiritual needs of the hospital community including:
- Spiritual counselling
- Rites of passage and other rituals e.g., blessing or naming ceremonies
- Bereavement support and counselling
- Hospital-arranged funerals for unregistered babies
- Opportunity for prayer, reflection and meditation
- Contact with representatives of particular faith traditions
- Religious leaders (priests, ministers, rabbis etc.) can visit the ward, upon the patient's request.
Availability
This Service is available to any patients, family members, visitors or staff members of the Women’s.
It is open to all people of faith and non-faith belief and respectful of differences in gender, race and religion operating from a non-judgmental person-centred approach.
Contact can be maintained after the patient or family leaves the hospital, if necessary.
Call the Spiritual Care direct line - (03) 8345 3016 - or page (Intake pager: 53016).
A Spiritual Care Practitioner will respond to all referrals, as soon as possible. Referrals can be made by staff or external health professionals.
Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm.
Appointment
No appointment is necessary. Women can be referred directly to the Spiritual Care Practitioner within their multidisciplinary team.