Chaplaincy Service
Offering Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious care and support to all
Who we are
The Chaplains and Chaplaincy Team at the Bedford Hospital and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital offer confidential support to all patients, visitors and staff of any faith or no faith. Our service is open and available to all, offering a non-judgemental listening ear. We are here to support people, as they journey through their time in the hospital; helping people to find a way through their situation, and look to the future.
We provide and facilitate spiritual, pastoral and religious care, we are a focus for faith and cultural care and offer advice and support at times of loss.
The hospitals have a full time Lead Chaplain who co-ordinates the work of the Chaplaincy with Chaplains and Volunteers drawn from our many faith and cultural communities. Chaplains of various denominations and faiths regularly visit the hospital, or will attend when requested. There is a large team of people accredited by the NHS and their Faith Community, who can be called in at any time to offer help, advice and support. These faith representatives from the major faith communities can be contacted via the Chaplaincy Office.
How to contact the Chaplaincy Team
There are a number of ways to contact us:
Bedford Hospital
The Chaplaincy Office is situated on the ground floor next to the Faith and Belief Room, which is situated on the main corridor leading from Britannia Road. The office is usually open each week day between 08.00 – 16.00. You are welcome to visit us.
Or call 01234 355122 Extn. 5901 and if you have to leave a message we will respond as soon as possible.
If you wish to contact a Chaplain urgently out of office hours please ask the staff to bleep 062 and in an emergency they will ask the switchboard to contact the Duty Chaplain at any time.
Email chaplaincy@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
The Chaplaincy Centre is on the second floor of the Medical Block, next to the Hospital Chapel, and is usually open each week day between 08.00 – 16.00. You are welcome to visit us.
- Please call 01582 497370 and if you have to leave a message we will respond as soon as we can.
- If you wish to contact a Chaplain urgently or out of office hours please ask the staff to bleep 745 and in an emergency they will ask the switchboard to contact the Duty Chaplain at any time.
- Email chaplaincy@ldh.nhs.uk
What we do
As well as their general ward visiting, Chaplains are involved in:
End of life care
Chaplains are a part of the team offering support to parents who face the loss of their child, people facing their own death, or the death of a loved one.
Staff Support
The Chaplaincy Team supports the staff working within Bedford Hospital and the L&D by offering a confidential and informed, yet independent listening ear. The Chaplains are also involved in a number of working groups and staff training.
Building links to, and liaising with, the wider community
The Chaplains work is a partnership of care with local faith communities. Every effort is made to ensure that everybody can access the spiritual, religious and cultural care they need, wherever they are.
Working with Volunteers
Our Chaplains work with a large number of Volunteers to offer care, comfort and support to patients, visitors and staff of all or no faith, whilst they are in the hospital.
- Ward Visitors visit and support patients
- Bedside Ministers visit those who have requested ministry on Sundays and other days
- Chapel Volunteers visit the wards on Fridays or Saturdays to determine who would like to attend the chapel service
Volunteers also assist with the Sunday morning hospital service bringing people to the chapel. Whilst others assist with worship, play the organ, arrange the flowers or help with calligraphy.
If you are interested in joining the team and helping us to make a real difference to people in your local hospital please don’t hesitate – get in touch with the Lead Chaplain Rev’d Varkey Eappen on 01582 718484 or email chaplaincy@ldh.nhs.uk
Opportunities for worship
If patients, visitors or staff wish to practice their religion there are two prayer and worship areas (see our map) – which are always usually open. Both offer a quiet space and are open to all for prayer, worship and quiet reflection.
The Faith and Belief Room at Bedford Hospital
The Faith & Belief room is for people of all faiths and beliefs to come and sit and be quiet, reflect, pray or meditate. There is an ablutions area and prayer mats provided and is situated on the main corridor leading from Britannia Road.
The Hospital Chapel at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
The Chapel of St Barnabas is on the second floor of the Medical Block at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. There is a Sacred Space and carpeted area and prayer mats provided.
Sacred Space Prayer Room at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Our Muslim prayer space is on Lewsey Road situated in a portacabin, and can be used by men and women as it contains suitable screens/dividers. It requires a code to enter, which can be requested from Security.
If you wish to receive a visit from a Chaplain at a specific time please contact the Chaplains. Bedside Ministry is available at any time on request, please contact the Chaplaincy Office
Available at the Chapel
Holding crosses, prayer cards, and booklets available in the chapel and on request.