DIOCESE OF QU'APPELLE
The 73rd Synod of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle
Reports
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY CELL PHONE
For a few years now, a cell-phone based program provides quick availability of clergy to Anglican people coming to Regina hospitals and being away from their home communities, churches and clergy. This supplements a once or twice a week lay visitors program which works from the admissions list of Anglicans.
This contrasts with the usual situation of Regina people who have their own clergy and parish support systems available for emergency needs and sacramental ministries. Exceptions for Regina folk are when a lay visitor should, but cannot cannot reach a person's own Regina priest, or when hospital staff determines an urgent need.
Regina stipendiary clergy and a number of retired priests have a place in a week-by-week rotation system in which they are committed to attach themselves to the 'chaplaincy cell phone' (306) 535-3115, and maintain a high level of availability. This is enhanced by a 'message manager' for occasions when the 'phone' must be temporarily laid aside, such as during hospital visiting, or conducting worship services.
It is important, especially for emergency cases, that the clergy, parish officers, or family of people being moved to Regina hospitals advise the holder of 'the phone' by dialing (306) 535-3115. Very often, in the case of emergency admissions, there is no opportunity for the patient or a companion to indicate a church connection. It may be that many days may pass before the person, if ever, appears on the list ('census') which informs the lay visitors.
In addition to referrals for out of town admissions, for in-town patients, the phone provides clergy access to the lay visitors when the person's own Regina priest is unavailable. For all patients, this service provides a swift means of contact when hospital staff regards it as advisable.
An element of continuity for patients is provided by the custom of any necessary contact being maintained throughout the hospitalization by the priest who first established it, rather than passing the person on with the 'phone. A 'log book' is kept in which all telephone contacts are recorded.
Respectfully submitted,
John Matheson
LAY HOSPITAL VISITORS
Five lay visitors from various congregations in the City of Regina visit all Anglicans who are
registered in the Pasqua and General Hospitals and the Wascana.
Having undertaken pastoral visitors training these volunteers will, upon the request of the patients,
contact the Chaplain on Call, or in the case of members from the city churches, their priest will be
notified. Anglicans from out of town who have no special requests will be visited by the volunteers.
The visitors at all times maintain strictest confidentiality of all whom they see and visit. Visitors
also keep up to date attending workshops offered by the Diocese or by the Regina Health District.
