"We offer you our full support, respectful of your beliefs, sensitive to your needs..." A message from  our chaplains.

Who we are

We are a team of people, of various faiths and denominations, who work to promote the spiritual well-being of everyone in hospital. We abide by proper professional standards and strict rules about confidentiality.

Our staff

Full time; Revd Brian Selmes, Revd Kevin Tromans. Revd Catherine Minor

Part-time: Revd Jurgen Muller, Mrs Patsy Ottewell,   Revd Tom Gibbons,    Father Paul Tully

Honorary; Sister Kate O'Leary, Revd Liz Cummings, Revd Canon Penny Martin, Revd Margaret Lee, Revd Dorothy Wilson.

What we do

We offer emotional support and spiritual care through friendship and a listening ear; we will try to help in whatever way we can.

We can also arrange for any religious needs to be met. We will be pleased to respond to requests for sacramental support and other religious services.

We can contact a patient's own church leader or faith representatives in the community but only with that patient's permission.

The chaplains offer;

• Someone to talk to in confidence
• Personal and pastoral care
• Religious and sacramental support
• Places and literature for prayer and reflection
• A link with local faith communities

Where we are

We work as a team across the Trust and have a presence at each of its hospitals, visiting the wards on a regular basis.

We have various facilities for prayer and worship in our hospitals and all of our patients and their families are welcome to share them.

Our places for prayer and opportunities to worship:

At Bishop Auckland Hospital - The Prayer Room is on the main corridor of the ground floor.

At Darlington Memorial Hospital - The Mary Hodgkin Memorial Chapel is on the ground floor.

Chapel Services:

Sunday, 11 am, Sunday Service (usually Holy Communion)
Thursday, 10.30 am, Holy Mass.

Volunteers are available to take patients along to the services in wheelchairs.

There is also a small Prayer Room on level 1 of the main ward block.

At University Hospital North Durham - The Chapel is on floor 1, near ward 5.

Chapel services

Sunday, 11.15am, Holy Communion.
Saturday 10am, Holy Mass.
The Prayer Room is on the East Wing Corridor.
Dhuhr - Muslim Midday Prayers - 1.30pm, daily.

How to get in touch

You can phone the chaplains

• At Bishop Auckland Hospital: 01388 455451.
• At Darlington Memorial Hospital: 01325 743029.
• At University Hospital of North Durham, Shotley Bridge and Chester-le-Street Hospitals: 0191 3332333.

Or our ward staff will be pleased to contact a chaplain for you.

Out of hours

There is always a chaplain available for urgent calls, 24 hours a day, who can be contacted through the hospital switchboard.

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