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Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy services are provided to help meet the spiritual and emotional needs of our patients, visitors and staff.

Chaplains work as part of the hospital team, caring for patients, carers and staff, in order to provide emotional, psychological and spiritual support.

Healthcare is more than simply looking after physical needs – all of us also have emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.

All beliefs

We all have beliefs, whether religious, spiritual or secular. These help us find meaning in our lives and enables us to cope, especially when we face difficult times.

Being in hospital as a patient, carer or a member of staff may unearth deep-seated feelings and emotions within us, which is normal and natural.

The chaplaincy team is here to support everyone when they find themselves in hospital, regardless of faith, belief or world view.

The chaplains and chaplaincy volunteers are based at The James Cook University Hospital and the Friarage Hospital and visit the wards on both sites regularly. Visits are also regularly made to the community hospitals in Brotton, Redcar and Richmond.

Personal visits

We welcome requests for personal visits in order to:

  • Provide opportunities to talk about what is happening, explore fears, concerns and to share emotions.
  • Offer prayer, give blessings, take confession and administer Holy Communion, if requested.
  • Facilitate and provide religious and non-religious rites or rituals that support us and provide us with coping mechanisms.
  • Provide opportunities to explore beliefs and allow them to be respected, cared for and thought about in appropriate ways.

Contact details

The chaplains can be contacted on the following numbers, where non-urgent messages can be left on the voicemail:

Urgent contact numbers

If you require a chaplain in an emergency, please dial the hospital switchboard on the number below; ask for ‘operator’ and when connected, ask them to contact the on-call chaplain:

Please specify if you require the Roman Catholic chaplain.

Support for staff

Support is available on site for staff at James Cook and the Friarage and the chaplaincy team can be contacted at any time to listen, talk, advise or counsel. All such meetings are confidential.

The team also offer support to colleagues who work out in the community and can be contacted through the switchboard of either James Cook or the Friarage.

The chaplains are available through an on-call roster 24 hours a day, seven days a week (see contact numbers below).

The chaplaincy team

  • Rodney Breckon – joint lead
  • Len Collings – joint lead
  • Binoy Alexander
  • Lisa Opala
  • Sarah Ramsden

Chapels

James Cook Hospital

The Chapel of the Good Samaritan, near the north entrance, is open and lit during the day and the night for you, your family and your friends to visit.

It is a special place of peace and quiet, of prayer, stillness and reassurance. It is hoped that people of all faiths and none will find a tranquil and safe haven.

There is a prayer book on the altar which can be written in at any time and a candle stand should you wish to light a candle in memory of a loved one or as part of your prayers.

Service details

  • Service of Holy Communion – 2pm on Wednesdays (See list on chapel door)
  • Bedside services – any Sunday (but can be done anytime)

Friarage Hospital

The Chapel of St Luke is near to the main entrance of the Friarage and is open every day for people to go and sit in the peaceful space.

People of all faiths and non are welcome to use the chapel. The team are available to talk, listen, and pray if requested.

There are referral forms available so that requests for visits or for Holy Communion can be made. There is also a prayer board where thoughts and reflections may be left.

Muslim prayer room

There is a Muslim prayer room (Masjid) available for staff to use across James Cook Hospital and Friarage Hospital.

James Cook

  • The male prayer room and wash facility is located next to the chaplaincy office near north reception
  • The female prayer room is on the first floor near the ramp down to path labs
  • For the duration of Ramadan the female prayer room has been temporarily moved to the south entrance near reception.
  • There is also a prayer room available for staff to use in room 20, STRIVE from 1pm to 2pm

Friarage

  • The Chapel of St Luke is available for Friday prayers each week.

Listening, literature and training resource

The chaplaincy team seek to foster spirituality and community within the trust.

They are also a resource for literature (including bereavement and cultural booklets), training and staff support.

Please contact the team via the switchboard if you need any help or advice.

Upcoming events

  • Annual Christmas Baby Memorial Service: Sunday 7 December 2025 at 3pm at the St. Mary the Virgin Parish Hall, Morton Carr Lane Nunthorpe, TS7 0JU.
  • Christmas carol sing-alongs:
    • Tuesday 16 December, 12.30pm in the atrium at The James Cook University Hospital
    • Wednesday 17 December, 2pm in the hub at the Friarage
  • Service of Holy Communion, every Wednesday at 2pm in the chapel at The James Cook University Hospital