One of the essential services available in the Clifton Diocese, is the Hospital Chaplaincy Service. Operating within the NHS and Private Health Care, the service seeks to provide Pastoral, Spiritual and Sacramental care to patients, their families and hospital staff. The service also supports and advises both Clergy and Laity who work or Volunteer in hospitals throughout the Diocese.The service is coordinated bt Fr Frank Wainwright who is based in Cheltenham.

The service is available for those seeking advice pertinent to chaplaincy and for guidance in Catholic health policy, health ethics and the teaching of the Church.

Nowadays, we encourage people going into hospital to ask their local Priest for the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing) before going in to hospital. Much as we try to respond to all calls as quickly as possible, there can be times when a Priest isn’t available as quickly as a patient or family would ideally like.

This situation can be avoided to some degree by being anointed in one’s home parish.On admittance to hospital, a patient should be asked their religion: if this is not done, we have no way of knowing who is in hospital.Fr Frank meets twice a year with members of the Bishop’s healthcare advisers, which is a branch of the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales. There are also occasional meetings within the Clifton Diocese.

The Catholic Medical Association is a group for healthcare professionals and has branches in Bristol and Bath.

Hospital & Hospices of Clifton Diocese: Hospital Name Contact

Royal United Hospital, Bath St John’s, Bath 01225 464471

Bath Circle Hospital St John’s, Bath 01225 464471

Royal National Hospial for Rheumatic Diseases St John’s, Bath 01225 464471

Bath Saint Martin’s St Peter & Paul, Bath 01225 832096

Bath Clinic St Peter & Paul, Bath 01225 832096

Dorothy House Hospice Bradford on Avon Parish 01225 862739

Bridgewater General Bridgewater Parish 01278 422703

Saint Peter’s Hospice, Brentry Westbury on Trym Parish 0117 983 3926

Brentry Hospital, Westbury on Trym Parish 0117 983 3926

BIRU Frenchay, Downend Parish 0117 9833939

Bristol Southmead Hospital 01179 505050, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Bristol Riverside 01179 505050, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Bristol Corsham 01179 505050, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Bristol Royal infirmary 01179 923 00, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Bristol Spire Hospital the Cathedral Parish 0117 973 8411

Children’s Hospital, Bristol 01179 923 00, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Eye Hospital, Bristol 01179 923 00, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Dental Hospital, Bristol 01179 923 00, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

South Bristol Hospital, Hengrove 01179 923 00, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Saint Michael’s Hospital 01179 923 00, ask to page duty Catholic chaplain

Emmerson Green Hospital Downend Parish 0117 983 3939

Avon & Wiltshire Psychiatric Services 0117 378 4441 Page Catholic Chaplain

Callington Rd & Fromeside Forensic Medicine 0117 919 5933 Page Catholic Chaplain

Blackberry Hill Hospital 0117 378 4441 Page Catholic Chaplain

Wickham Unit 0117 378 4300 Page Catholic Chaplain

Silver Birch Unit 0117 919 5901 Page Catholic Chaplain

The Priory, Bristol St Nicholas’ Parish 0117 909 8810

The Glen, Bristol Westbury on Trym Parish 0117 983 3926

The Chesterfield, Bristol Cathedral Parish 0117 983 8411

Burnham on Sea Memorial Hospital Bridgewater Parish 01278 422703

Cirencester Hospital Cirencester Parish 01285 652087

Cheltenham General 0300 4 222 222 and ask for Catholic Chaplain

Cheltenham Nuffield St Thomas More Parish 01242 523737

Cheltenham Sue Ryder Hospice Charlton Kings Parish 01242 524932

Cheltenham/Northleach Charlton Kings Parish 01242 524932

Chalton Lane, Cheltenham 01242 634100 and ask to call Catholic Chaplain

Clevedon Cottage Hospital Franciscans, Clevedon 01275 873205

Crewekerne Hospital Chard Parish 01460 62197

Dilke Hospital Coleford Parish 01594 833173

Devizes, Green Lane Devizes Parish 01380 723572

Devizes Julia House Children’s Hospice Devizes Parish 01380 723572

Dursley – Vale Community Dursley Parish 01453 542039

Fairford Hospital Fairford Parish 01285 712586

Frome Community Hospital Frome Parish 01373 462795

Glastonbury, West Mendip Glastonbury Parish 01458 832203

Gloucester Royal 03004 222222 and ask to page catholic Chaplain

Gloucester Wotton Lawn 01452 894500 and ask to call catholic Chaplain

Gloucester Winfield St Peter’s, Gloucester 01452 523603

Lydney hospital Coleford Parish 01594 833173

Marlborough Saversnake Marlborough Parish 01672 513267

Minehead & West Somerset Minehead Parish 01643 702201

Moreton in Marsh Hospital Chipping Camden Parish 01386 840261

Crofters Lodge Wraxall Nailsea Parish 01275 851530

Childrens’ Hospice Wraxall Nailsea Parish 01275 851530

Salisbury District Hospital Salisbury Parishes 01722 333581

New Hall Hospital Salisbury Parishes 01722 333581

Old Manor Hospital Salisbury Parishes 01722 333581

Fountain Way unit Salisbury Parishes 01722 333581

Standish Westridge Hospital Stonehouse Parish 01453 822121

Stroud Hospital Stroud Parish 01453 762442

Swindon Great Western Holy Rood Parish 01793 522062

Ridgeway, Swindon Holy Rood Parish 01793 522062

Sandlewood Centre, Swindon Holy Rood Parish 01793 522062

Taunton Musgrove Park Wellington Parish 01823 662283

Taunton Nuffield Taunton Parish 01823 272700

Taunton St Margeret’s Hospice, Taunton Parish 01823 272700

Tetbury Hospital Tetbury Parish 01666 502367

Tewkesbury Hospital Winchcombe Parish 01242 6022412

Thornbury Hospital Thornbury Parish 01454 412223

Trowbridge Community Hospital Trowbridge Parish 01225 752152

Warminster Community Hospital Warminster Parish 01985 212329

Wellington & District Cottage Hospital Wellington Parish 01823 662283

Weston General Weston Parishes 01934 627137/ 621929.

Cygnet Hospital, Weston Weston Parishes 01934 627137/ 621929.

Weston Hospice Weston Parishes 01934 621929

Wincanton Community Hospital Wincanton Parish 01963 34408

Yeovil District Yeovil Parish 01935 423549

Summerlands Yeovil Parish 01935 423549

South Petherton Yeovil Parish 01935 423549

Shepton Mallet Community Hospital Glastonbury Parish 01458 832203

Bishop’s Healthcare Advisor Fr. Frank Wainwright 01594 833 173

Links:

Anscombe Centre: www.biometrics.org.uk

Catholic Medical Association: www.catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk

Catholic Bishop’s of England and Wales/healthcare

Reading:

Caring for the Catholic Patient (C.T.S.)

Humanising Healthcare Reforms by Gerald Arbuckle S.M.

Catholic Identity or Identities by Gerald Arbuckle S.M.