Pastoral Care Services (Chaplaincy Department)
Services We Offer
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital affirms Pastoral Care Services as a core dimension within holistic care. A holistic approach demands that we take seriously not only the physical and psycho/social aspects of caring but also the spiritual well-being. Chaplains and pastoral care personnel offer a compassionate, professional and spiritual ministry to all patients, their families and/or support persons, and staff.
The Pastoral Care team at Charlie's is an ecumenical one. To be ecumenical means to represent the church universal, the whole Christian church. Our pastoral care team includes ministers, priests, and pastoral assistants representing various Christian traditions including Anglican, Catholic, and Uniting Church. But because Australia is a multi-cultural country we also facilitate ministry and have visiting chaplains from many other faiths. We believe that all people should be cared for in their spiritual journey. We affirm this by liaising with other faith groups, granting them authorisation for representation so that all people of faith can be cared for appropriately during their hospitalisation.
Department Contact Details
For emergencies call switchboard (91) who will contact a chaplain
Regular Contact Information
Pastoral Care Services Office/Administration Assistant
Jocelyn Prosser
Phone: (08) 9346 3425
Head of Department
Rev. Dr. Dianne Bertolino
Phone: (08) 9346 2419
Page: 4412
Staff Chaplains- Ecumenical
Rev. Dr. Dianne Bertolino
Phone:
61 8 9346 2419
Page:
4412
Rev. Jon Reinertsen
Phone: 61 8 9346 1785
Page: 4272
Catholic Chaplains
Fr. Salvador ‘Buddy’ Cariño
Phone: (08) 9346 3025
Page: 4271
Anglican Sacramental Ministry
Rev. Roger Kay (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday)
Phone: 61 8 9346 2946
Page: 4270
Anglican Chaplaincy Assistants
Dr David Collins (Wednesday, Friday)
Phone: 61 8 9346 2946
Page: 4270
Sessional Chaplains
The Chaplaincy Team can arrange access to a wide range of representatives from other Christian denominations (e.g. Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, Assemblies of God) and from other religions (e.g. Jewish, Muslim, Hindu). When necessary, the chaplains can also arrange visits from chaplains who are fluent in various languages other than English.
Pastoral Care Volunteers
We are fortunate to have many volunteers working in the Pastoral Care Services Department. They come from many different walks of life and have a wealth of skills and diverse professions. They fulfill many different tasks. This frees the chaplains to provide pastoral care. Our volunteers fall into three distinct categories.
First, we have a small group of men and women trained theologically and clinically to assist the chaplains in ministry. These Chaplaincy Assistants work part-time in a voluntary capacity to offer pastoral care with patients, families and staff, and provide an extension to the regular ministry of the hospital chaplains.
A second group of volunteers assists our department in a kind of ministry of hospitality. Instead of newly admitted patients receiving a brochure in a hospital admittance packet, they are greeted by one of our volunteers who personally delivers chaplaincy brochures and explains how to access a chaplain. When they see signs of need, they flag this for the chaplains to follow up in ministry.
Thirdly, we have a group of volunteers who assist in Services of Worship. They generally assist in the liturgy, provide music, hostess, read Scripture, pray, and help transport patients to and from worship services. We have 20 Catholic acolytes who bring communion to patients.
Many volunteers who fit into this second and third category have been here for fifteen to twenty five years. The number of volunteers fluctuates, of course, but currently we have forty and simply couldn't function without them.
Clinical Services
Pastoral Care Services are available to all patients, their families and significant others, and to hospital staff, regardless of denomination or religious adherence. For many people, emotional and spiritual issues surface when they are in hospital or facing crisis. For this reason Pastoral Care Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During after hours chaplains are rostered to carry a tele-pager or mobile phone to provide this service, especially for emergencies.
The chaplains are part of the overall health care team and can offer support and comfort, special listening and counselling skills as well as a ministry of prayer and sacraments for those who request it.
Chaplaincy primarily includes: pastoral care, pastoral counselling, worship and sacraments, education, and a ministry of referral. A ministry of referral might include liasing with community churches or agencies to insure a continuity of spiritual care or support following discharge from the hospital.
Facilities
Chapel & Prayer Hall
We are proud to have within our hospital, spaces dedicated to reflection and prayer.
The hospital chapel is always open and schedules regular Christian services. It is located on the ground floor of E block, immediately off the Verdun Street & Gairdner Avenue hospital entrance. We also provide a Muslim Prayer Hall, located on the first floor E Block, just next to the hospital library. Ablution facilities for ritual prayer have been provided.
We would be delighted to see you at any of the Chapel Services. Wheelchair transport can be arranged if you are unable to walk. For those who are unable to come to Chapel, Communion services and sacramental ministry are available to you in your room upon request.
Chapel Services
| Sunday | 10.00am | Anglican/Protestant |
|---|---|---|
| 11.00am | Catholic Mass | |
| Wednesday | 12.10pm | Catholic Mass |
| Friday | 12.10pm | Catholic Mass |
Chaplains also provide Holy Communion and other Sacramental Services in Wards as requested.
Physical Location
The department offices are located next to Transport, on the ground floor of E block, on the long corridor known as Watling Street. The secretary/receptionist will gladly assist you to find a chaplain, or if the office is unattended you may use the nearest hall phone to call the switchboard (dial 91) and request that a chaplain be paged.
Education of Staff
Prior to appointment, Chaplains are required to have completed a certain standard of theological education and clinical training. Most of the chaplains have received degrees in theology, some with advanced or graduate degrees in their field of expertise, in addition to supervision of their ministry. They must be endorsed by their denomination in addition to complying with the additional hospital requirements of chaplaincy.
Student Education
At this time the department does not offer an educational training program in preparation for chaplaincy. However, we do regularly host an Anglican training program for chaplaincy/pastoral assistants.
Further Questions
If we can help you to understand the department or the services we provide, please do not hesitate to call us at the numbers listed above (Chaplaincy Team and Access) or contact the hospital switchboard at 61 8 9346 3333 from outside the hospital, or within the hospital by using a hall phone and dialing 91.
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