Our Chaplain, Pastoral Care and the Chapel
At St Andrew’s Hospital, being open and attentive to the whole person, physically, emotionally and spiritually, is important. In times of uncertainty, it is good to be able to talk with someone who will listen without judgement and explore the questions without having the answers.
Our Co-ordinating Chaplain Jenski (Rev Leanne Jenski) and the pastoral care team provide emotional and/or spiritual support to patients, relatives and staff. If you wish to be specifically visited by our Chaplain or the Pastoral team, please advise staff to notify the Co-ordinating Chaplain. If you have a particular need, you are welcome to contact the our Chaplain via the general hospital phone number or ask at reception.
Religious representatives of all faiths are welcome to visit patients from their community of faith and specific requests can be organised through our Co-ordinating Chaplain.
The Chapel
The Chapel provides a quiet, peaceful and comfortable place for contemplation and reflection by patients, families and friends, staff and volunteers. It is open for your use from 7.00am to 6.00pm and is the single-storey brick building between the main hospital and Waverly House. We have a zen sand tray and various resources. On the mezzanine floor there is a dedicated Muslim prayer space and prayer mats with running water in our bathroom for wudu.
Training in Pastoral Care
St Andrew’s Hospital is also a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Centre, and our Coordinating Chaplain, Jenski, is the Educator. CPE is a unique educational process for people involved in various contexts where they offer spiritual or pastoral care, such as Hospitals, Prisons, Schools, Defence Force, Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Aged Care, Nursing Homes, or faith communities. Participants explore how to be present to others who are experiencing distress and how to offer grounded spiritual interventions informed by self-awareness and best practices. For more information please contact Jenski via the general hospital number.