Press release – issued June 5 2023

2023/011

Opportunity to provide spiritual and pastoral care for patients and staff

As well as providing health care for patients, Wye Valley NHS Trust also works hard to look after the spiritual welfare of its patients, their families and its staff members.

A team of clergy are available at all of the Trust’s hospitals to offer pastoral and spiritual support to those receiving treatment, and those delivering care to patients.

“Our team of faith leaders provide a vital service as they support patients at some of the most crucial and sensitive times of their lives,” said Lucy Flanagan, the Trust’s chief nursing officer.

“The team also provide spiritual support for our hardworking staff, many of whom work weekend and nights and cannot rely on normal routines to see family members or regularly attend church or other faith services,” Lucy added.

The clergy team currently has a vacancy for half a day a week to cover Bromyard and Leominster Community Hospitals.

“The role will suit someone who is already a trained leader within a recognised faith community and will involve them visiting the community hospitals to provide pastoral and spiritual care to patients, their families and to our staff,” said Philp Roberts, who heads up the Trust’s clergy team.

“It’s important that we offer this support to those who have faith, and those of no faith, and it could involve working with patients’ own parish priest/ministries or other religious leaders regarding their pastoral and spiritual care while in hospital,” he added.

Anyone interested can find out more by visiting NHS jobs and searching for Wye Valley NHS Trust jobs.

For an informal discussion with Philip, please contact him via email - Philip.Roberts@wvt.nhs.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors WVT:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider of health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £185 million, we employ around 3,000 staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.

For further information please contact:

Fiona Gurney, communications officer, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928