The Department of Pastoral and Spiritual Care, within which is the Chaplaincy, provides religious, spiritual and pastoral care to patients, visitors and staff of all faiths or no faith. 

Derriford hospital has its own team of chaplains and volunteer pastoral visitors who represent the various main Christian denominations.  We can also help make contact with someone of a patient's own faith or denomination, if there is not an appropriate person within the team.  All members of the Chaplaincy are happy to work with those of different traditions and faiths.

The chaplains regularly visit the wards and are always happy to see patients or visitors, to offer a 'listening ear'. They see their main role to be offering spiritual and pastoral support to anyone who would like to receive it - no religious agenda is imposed on those who do not have a faith but simply an openness to listen to those who wish to share their burdens and concerns. For those who would like, they are also available to pray with a patient, to bring them Holy Communion, to anoint them with oil or to baptise in an emergency. 

If you would like to speak to a chaplain, you can simply attract their attention when you see them, or ask one of the ward staff to contact the Chaplaincy team. You can also telephone 01752 245255 (external) or 55255 (internal) – please leave a message if unattended.

If you would like a member of the Chaplaincy to visit a friend or relative in hospital please contact the Chaplaincy team by phone or email derriford.chaplaincy@nhs.net If there is an urgent need, please dial the hospital switchboard on 01752 202082 and specifically ask for them to "page the on call chaplain".

Outside office hours a chaplain is always available on call from home at any time of the day or night to visit a patient in an emergency - just ask a member of the nursing staff to contact the chaplain who is on-call. Please make clear the faith of the patient or if your request is for a Roman Catholic Priest.

For further information on the chaplaincy and its services please click on the links on the left: