For Patients and Visitors
Pastoral Services provide care for the spiritual needs of patients, families and visitors.
What can I expect from the service?
We offer:
- Time to talk
- Support to deal with the loss of loved ones.
- Spiritual, religious and sacred texts to read
- Support to deal with being in hospital
- Special services to honour Ceremonial events and rites
- Blessing and Naming Ceremonies after the birth of a baby
- Education and training
- Ministers of many religions and faiths
Contact Us:
- Northern Hospital Phone 8405 8005 Mon – Fri 08.30 – 05.00pm
After hours and if you need a Minister urgently, call 8405 8000. - Broadmeadows Hospital: Phone 8345 5000 Mon – Fri 08.30 – 05.00pm
- Bundoora Extended Care: 9495 3296 Mon, Wed and Fri 09.30 – 03.00pm
For Health Professionals
Northern Health upholds the World Health Organisation’s statement of respect for ‘the uniqueness of each person and the need to respond to each individual’s spiritual quest for meaning, purpose and belonging’ (1998). Northern Health supports the spirituality of all patients, visitors and staff through the provision of Quiet/Prayer Rooms, the Multi Faith Chapel and Pastoral Services.
Pastoral/Spiritual Care is a general term, which encompasses the many ways in which Northern Health pays attention to the spiritual nature of patients, their visitors and staff.
For most people, their spirituality will include significant relationships and this may find expression in their involvement in community, religion, the natural environment, or art and music for example. A hospital admission, witnessing a death or experiencing bereavement may also be the first occasion people seriously consider spiritual life, beliefs, faith or absence thereof.
If this describes one of your clients it may be beneficial to speak with someone from the Pastoral Services team. We respect the right of clients to decline pastoral care support. Clients may also request Pastoral Care directly by raising this with Staff.
Services offered:
- Bereavement support, grief and loss counselling
- Spiritual, religious and sacred texts
- Emotional support
- Ceremonial events and rites
- Pastoral counselling
- Blessing and Naming Ceremonies (postnatal)
- Education and training
- Religious care (sacraments, prayer, religious ministers)
- Referral and consultation
Inclusion Criteria:
This service is available to any patients, family members or visitors to Northern Health. It is open to all clients of faith and non-faith belief and is respectful of differences in gender, race and religion operating from a non-judgemental person centred approach.
Exclusion Criteria:
None
How to refer:
Referrals can be made by contacting the Pastoral Services department during the following hours:
Northern Hospital Epping:
Ph 8405 8005. Available Mon – Fri 0830 – 1700
After hours and if you need a Minister urgently, call 8405 8000.
Broadmeadows Hospital:
Ph 8345 5000. Available Mon – Fri 0830 – 1700
Bundoora:
Ph 9495 3296. Available Mon, Wed and Fri 0830 – 1700
- Locations offering this service
- Northern Hospital Epping
- Bundoora Centre
- Broadmeadows Hospital
