Bringing a child to hospital, whether it be for tests or major treatment, can be a stressful and disorienting experience.ÌýSpiritual Care practitionersÌýare available to support you during this time. Spiritual support is likely to be of benefit whether or not you are religious or if you belong to a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other practice.Ìý
Spiritual Care practitionersÌýcan assist by:
- Providing respectful and non-judgemental listening
- Helping you consider and sort through feelings and options
- Journeying with you during times of stress, loss and grief
- Suggesting spiritual resources consistent with your beliefs and values
- Facilitating the meeting of religious and\orÌýspiritual needs of patients and families
- Care of the "spirit" of the person, encouraging a holistic approach to care
Who are we?
ProfessionalÌýSpiritual Care practitionersÌýat The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) are trainedÌýto offer person-centred, inclusive service. ÌýWe work as members of a multi-disciplinary team addressing the needs of patients and families. We offer aÌýrespectful spiritual care service that honours the dignity and value of each person.Ìý
- Spiritual Care practitionersÌýserve patients and families from all faith traditions, as well as those who are skeptical, searching, or justÌýwish to talk.
- Spiritual Care practitionersÌýassist patients and families draw on their own religious/spiritual strengths as they face the issues raised by a child's illness. They offer support in difficult times and listen if patients and families require it.
- Spiritual Care practitioners assistÌýpatients and families meet religious and spiritual needs.Ìý This may include ritual, prayer,Ìýaccess to sacred texts such as the Qur'an, Bible,Ìýprayer books, a blessing before surgery, or a visit from a religious leader from a specific faith tradition.
- Spiritual Care practitioners help families in crisis situations by counselling, problem-solving, and identifying options when it seems like none exist.
- The prayer and meditation space is a place for prayer and meditation for people of all faiths and none. ÌýIt is located on the ground floor in the North Building near the Family Resource Centre. If you require access after 10 pm please askÌýa nurse to arrange for security toÌýescort you.
- OurÌýSpiritual Care practitioners serve patients and families of many different religious backgrounds. If you wish to connect with your own faith group during your hospital stay, pleaseÌýcontactÌýthe Spiritual Care coordinator at Ext 51839 or Call Switchboard (91) and ask to be connectedÌýor ask a staff member to make a referral to Spiritual Care.
You can download the latest version of our Summary DocumentÌýfor the Spiritual Care Department which outlines in further detail what spiritual care is and how we work within the RCH setting.
Spiritual Care Department Summary DocumentÌý
Below are a number of documents that may be useful when considering Spiritual Care of patients and families.
Prayer Booklet
The Spiritual Care team have gathered prayers from a variety of sources and faith traditions in a Booklet that is downloadable to your phone or tablet,Ìý it is in a PDF format.Ìý Please feel free to download and use the booklet as you wish.
Prayer BookletÌýfor download
Spiritual Care Flyer
Download a copy of the Spiritual Care Flyer by clicking the link below.
Ramadan Information
The Islamic Council of Victoria has produced the following guide that provides information about Ramadan.Ìý Please download a copy of the guide using the link below.
Ramadan- A Guide PDF
Caring for Muslim patientsÌýÌý
Below is a link to a Guide for caring for Muslim patients produced by the Islamic Council of Victoria.Ìý
This guide offers informtion about appropriate care and support to Muslim patinets and their families.
This is useful for staff in understandingÌý the concerns and issues faced by Muslim patients involved in the health system.
Note that its always best to ask families about their neeeds and concerns rather than making assumptions about what they may or may not want.
Caring for Muslim Patients