“It is about making people feel that there is still their inner self inside them.” said Pamela Howarth, Lead Chaplain.
A Chaplain is someone who comes alongside a person, often at a critical time in their life. Chaplains are trained to provide support that aligns with the individual person’s beliefs and values, whether that be religious or not. They take the time to listen and understand how to best care for the whole person, in a way that encompasses their emotional and spiritual needs.
Mount Gould Hospital provides specialist services that support patient recovery, following a complex injury or illness, with specialist areas in dementia care and rehabilitation for stroke, brain and spinal cord injuries. Services provide care plans tailored to meet the individual needs and goals of each patient to help reenable them to return home after a stay in Derriford Hospital.
Pamela and her small team of volunteers walk round the hospital and visit patients to talk and learn more about them as a person and uncover how her team can best support them in their care journey. The team visited over 7,000 patients on the Mount Gould Hospital site last year alone.
For some people that can be as simple as having a separate space to go to while staying in hospital.
“Chaplaincy gives you a new space and area to go to and you are with other people who are in a similar circumstance as well.” said Kevin, who is currently recovering in the Plym Neuro Rehabilitation Unit following brain surgery.
Kevin’s recovery has been complex. Having a tracheostomy means that he has to have an oxygen tank to breathe, is fed through a tube and can only speak for a few minutes per day. His main form of communication is through a tablet.
Kevin values having a non-clinical member of staff, such as Pamela, to talk to about more than just the medical side of his life. “It is nice to interact with a person who isn’t medically oriented and clinically minded. It’s nice to have that little bit of personal communication and one on one interaction.”
Mount Gould Hospital has recently introduced dedicated End of Life Care beds on Skylark and Kingfisher Wards. This provides an alternative placement away from the busier environment at Derriford Hospital for those in the final days of life, to pass away in a quieter, more comfortable space.
Providing support for individuals and their families during end of life is an important part of the chaplain’s role at Mount Gould Hospital.
Livewell’s chaplaincy service offers non-judgemental support during these difficult times with grief, bereavement, end of life support for patients and their families, and by providing a safe, supportive space for anyone who needs one.
This can quite often be a time spent in the unknown, surrounded by questions and having to make complex and difficult medical decisions. Helping patients to look back on their life, exploring their beliefs and providing them with a compassionate and safe space to express their emotions can help patients to find closure and be comfortable to make these tough decisions.
“Chaplains are often there at emergency times, moments that people will remember for the rest of their lives. It is so important you get it right and that they are accompanied in the way they want to be accompanied. We should always be asking questions to understand how we can best provide the support they need.” said Pamela.
Susan’s husband David passed away earlier this year after suffering a stroke and a heart attack. Pamela said a prayer of commitment to provide him with a safe passing.
Susan said: “When I first met Pamela, I think it was the day my husband passed away and she came around in the morning a couple of hours before he passed, and she did say a very nice prayer.”
Later in his life, David developed a keen interest in photography and when admitted to hospital, the Occupational Therapy staff created a ‘my life’ book which included a range of David’s photographs to provide a talking point for staff.
“Pamela sent me a card using Dave’s image, a lovely note, and asked if it would be okay to use his photography on the card for patients. I thought this was a wonderful idea. If only Dave knew.”
Although chaplaincy is not just about religion, the team do provide regular Sunday services on site for patients, families, and staff members to help them keep touch with their faith while in hospital.
“To see the blue shirt come in, it is like ‘ah yes, there is someone who you have an affinity with’.” said Kenneth, who was admitted to hospital following contracting sepsis after a perforated gallbladder.
Kenneth is delighted to have been able to attend the on-site Sunday services and values having time and space away from his hospital room to be around others. “When you are by yourself a lot of the time in hospital, meeting with other people and being able to talk about God and even for them to ask questions about what you are reading, encourages you in a way that although I may be by myself, I am not alone.
