Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is committed to supporting the spiritual, emotional, and religious needs of our patients and their families during their hospital stay, as well as PRHC staff and volunteers.

Spiritual Care Providers are regulated health professionals and are part of the healthcare team. They provide support to people of all faiths, spiritual traditions, beliefs, and worldviews, including those who do not identify as religious or spiritual.  

Spiritual Care Providers can help by:

  • Offering spiritual and emotional support during hospitalization

  • Listening to your concerns within the confidential circle of care

  • Praying, meditating or reflecting with you

  • Helping patients and families access spiritual care resources and connect with community faith or spiritual leaders 

  • Providing and facilitating specific rituals, including for the end-of-life

  • Supporting patients and families during serious illness, grief, loss, and difficult healthcare decisions 

MULTIFAITH & SPIRITUAL CENTRE AT PRHC

The Multifaith and Spiritual Centre is on Level 2 of the hospital, in Room C2303. It is open 24 hours a day and provides a quiet welcoming space for patients, families and staff of all faiths, spiritual traditions, and worldviews.  

Multifaith and Spiritual Care Centre may be used for prayer, meditation, reflection and quiet time. 

What is offered:

  • A weekly interdenominational service is provided in the Multi-Faith and Spiritual Centre on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. 

  • Roman Catholic patients have access to the on call 24/7 Catholic Priest for Sacraments of the Sick, last rites and emergency baptism. The care team will contact Switchboard at 705-743-2121 ext. 0 for a priest 24/7. Roman catholic Mass is not currently offered.  

  • Smudging may take place outside in a courtyard or in the Multifaith and Spiritual Centre without contacting switchboard or building services.  To arrange a ceremony inside the building, please call switchboard ext.0 at least one (1) hour before smudging and provide the room location and the time the ceremony will take place.  

  • Muslim Prayer mats are available for patients, family members, and staff. They are in the Multi-Faith and Spiritual Centre in the cupboard labelled "Islam." 

Requests for use of the Multifaith and Spiritual Centre may be directed to the Spiritual Care Department at ext. 3704.  

PRHC Multifaith Courtyard welcomes patients, families, staff and volunteers to enjoy a peaceful outdoor space on Level 2 between the B2 and C2 areas. Featuring a fountain, seasonal flowers, gardens, and seating areas, it offers a quiet place for reflection, relaxation, and connection with nature from May through October, weather permitting.

WHEN TO REACH OUT TO SPIRITUAL CARE

Spiritual Care is available when you or someone you know is:  

  • Coping with life-changing or difficult news 
  • Facing serious illness or changes in health 
  • Making difficult treatment, care, or healthcare decisions 
  • Experiencing grief, loss, fear, loneliness, or despair 
  • Searching for meaning, purpose, hope, or connection 
  • Exploring questions about faith, spirituality, beliefs, death or dying 
  • Requesting prayer, spiritual practices, religious rituals, or connection with a faith leader 
  • Seeking spiritual or emotional support for themselves or their loved ones

For Spiritual Care support, call 705-743-2121, x. 3704. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I'm not religious. Can I still see someone from Spiritual Care?
Yes, you do not need to be religious to benefit from spiritual care. Spiritual care can involve exploring meaning, values, hope, connection, identity, and the things that matter most to you. They are here to listen, support and accompany you without judgment, and will not try to change your beliefs. 

How do I contact a Spiritual Care Provider?
You can ask any member of your care team to connect you with Spiritual Care. You can also call us at 705-743-2121, ext. 3704. 

Are worship services or mass offered in the hospital?
A weekly interdenominational Christian service is held in the Multifaith and Spiritual Centre on Thursday at 11 a.m. For other religious or spiritual needs, please contact Spiritual Care to discuss available support and resources.  

I'm Roman Catholic, is it possible to receive the Sacrament of the Sick/Anointing while in hospital?
Yes, ask your care team to contact Switchboard to request that an on-call priest come in to meet with you.  

Am I able to ask for special meals according to my religious beliefs?
For dietary needs related to your religious or spiritual beliefs, please speak with your care team or ask to speak with a dietician for vegetarian, vegan, Kosher or Halal meals. 

I am Muslim. Is there a designated place in the hospital for me or my family to pray?
Yes, you are welcome to pray in the Multifaith and Spiritual Centre in the open area or in the more private area behind the wall that faces you as you enter the Centre. A chair, prayer mats and sink are available for use. The prayer mats are in a cupboard labelled "Islam." 

I have another faith tradition. Who should I talk to?
Spiritual Care supports people from all faiths, spiritual traditions, and worldviews. Ask your care team to contact Spiritual Care to discuss your needs.  

Am I able to smudge while in hospital?
If you have your own medicines and materials, you can speak with your care team, and they will contact Switchboard to make arrangements for ventilation accommodations with advanced notice.

If you would like to smudge and do not have your own materials, please ask your care team to contact Spiritual Care and/or the Indigenous Navigator to discuss available supports and arrangements.

If there are any other rituals or ceremonies that you are wondering about, please share this with your care team, so that they can contact the Spiritual Care Department for further discussion.

Where can I find a Bible?
There are Bibles in the Multifaith and Spiritual Centre for your use. A Spiritual Care Provider may also bring one to you, upon request. 

Are there other sacred texts available?
We have copies of some sacred texts which you can have. There are some resources for reading on the premises only. Please contact Spiritual Care if you are looking for a particular sacred text or resource.  

Common misconceptions & stereotypes

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers do not need or use formal assessment tools.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers assess the spiritual needs of clients in various ways, including formal assessment tools.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers work on their own and not with the team of care providers.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers collaborate with the inter-professional team to support client and family-centred care.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers try to change what clients believe by preaching to or trying to convert them.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers respect the unique personal journey of each client’s faith and spirituality.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers belong to all faiths or are not a part of any faith

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers maintain endorsement by, and good standing with, a recognized faith group.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers are not needed if a social worker is involved.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers and Social Workers have similarities, each discipline has its own scope of practice for psycho-social-spiritual work.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers are the same as ministers and priests and can perform the same rites and duties.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers are theologically and clinically trained clergy persons who provide spiritual care to all persons without displacing religious leaders.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers are fully qualified because of their previous work in a church.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers require graduate theological education, faith endorsement and three years of clinical pastoral education.

Myth

Spiritual Care Providers should only be contacted when clients have obvious or stated religious needs or interests.

Fact

Spiritual Care Providers can be contacted when clients are struggling to find relief from physical symptoms or feelings of distress, looking for hope or meaning in the midst of illness, and/or wanting religious support.