The Spiritual and Religious Care department at the Ross Memorial Hospital understands that coming to a hospital can be intimidating for both patient and family. We want to work with you to make your visit or stay as comfortable and as meaningful as possible.

1. What is Spiritual and Religious Care?

Spiritual and Religious Care is focused on God as a living, dynamic reality and on the nourishment of the spiritual dimension within the person. Spiritual and Religious Care is an essential component to holistic care. The spiritual aspects of life are linked to all other aspects of life, so the fulfillment of spiritual needs is vital to a meaningful and purposeful life. Consequently, access to, and provision of, Spiritual and Religious Care is essential if those in the care of hospitals are to have their basic needs met.

2. What difference will appropriate Spiritual and Religious Care make to the health and healing of my body?

For one, your basic needs will be met. However through several studies, there is concrete evidence that people with a faith background recover quicker from regular non-complicated surgery, have high self-esteem and require shorter hospital stays.

3. Does it matter if I do not belong to a church or faith community?

No. All requests are honoured and met to the best of the Spiritual and Religious Care Department's resources and capabilities.

4. Does the Spiritual and Religious Care Department offer assistance to anyone of any faith and even those without an organized belief group as well as agnostics, humanists and atheists?

In the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)(1) it is proclaimed: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his/her religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his/her religious or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance (Article 18)

Therefore, the system through which the Spiritual and Religious Care Department operates provides support and strength to the individual's participation within natural systems such as family, the faith community and the neighbourhood. The department is appropriately responsive to the needs of all persons regardless of their faith group, culture, race, gender, social status or beliefs. We appropriately seek to maintain and strengthen the connections between the individual receiving care and that person's own religious traditions and resources. Even when qualified Spiritual and Religious Care persons are available in the hospital, an individual's own personal faith community is responsible for ministering to those of that faith community. The hospital's Spiritual and Religious Care Department seeks to provide appropriate and reasonable access for ministry.

The coordination and provision of a broad spectrum of Spiritual and Religious Care provide those who are in the care of the hospital with opportunities for personal growth. Also, faith community-based programs provide broader access to personal development, and the practice of traditional rites, customs, and disciplines of their respective faith groups, consistent with individual preferences, experiences, abilities and goals.

5. If I am from out of town can I still receive Spiritual and Religious Care?

Yes! Make your request known to the Spiritual and Religious Care Department and we will respond to your needs within our ability.

6. What happens, when I leave the hospital and I still seek Spiritual and Religious Care support?

You can request that the Spiritual and Religious Care Department connect you to your choice of faith community-support in the area you will be living after discharge. Contact the department at 705-324-6111, ext. 4399.

7. Information on Confidentiality.

• Confidentiality of all records and information is maintained in order to respect the dignity, rights, and responsibility for the person receiving Spiritual and Religious Care; to insure his/her privacy; to respect the integrity of the relationship between caregiver and receiver; to comply with existing standards and applicable legislation.
• Discussions are held in strictest confidence unless you decide you want it shared with other hospital team members to assist us, as a team, in providing an optimum level of quality care.
• Legally, there are two restrictions, which apply to confidentiality: 1) When a person threatens the health and safety of their person or another person and 2) In cases where child abuse has taken place. In these two instances, all professionals are required by law to report such concerns to the appropriate authority or face serious legal penalty.
• The Spiritual and Religious Care telephone line is private and confidential 705-324-6111, ext. 4399. A confidential message can be left on the voicemail for the Director of Pastoral Care if he is not readily available to take your call.

Click here to return to Spiritual & Religious Care