BC Children's

A child's illness or injury can be one of life's most distressing experiences. Watching a child or teenager suffer is, for many, an unbearable strain. It raises many intense emotions and often painful questions:

Spiritual care, provided by hospital chaplains, is available to help you explore these questions and others. The chaplain is able to:

• offer comfort and compassion


• listen to your story


• support you in your journey


• help with ethical dilemmas you may be facing


• offer spiritual support and prayer if you wish


• help you plan special services


• contact a local minister or spiritual leader

The chaplain can also help you explain to staff the needs you may have, related to your religious beliefs. It is a belief of the Spiritual Care Program that spiritual well-being is an important aspect of health and something worth striving for.

View video to learn more about Spiritual Care at BC Children's Hospital.
 

The chaplains at Children's are specially trained and experienced in supporting children and teens and their families during times of stress. Play, puppets and music are all a part of their work. They are trained and certified by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC).

The chaplain is a member of the health care team and works closely with the team to ensure your spiritual care needs are addressed.

The quiet room (3D18), on the 3rd floor, is a place where you can be away from the busy, stressful parts of the hospital and relax, undisturbed, with your thoughts and prayers.

The chapel, along the 2nd floor corridor, just inside Women's, is open as a place of prayer for persons of all faiths and traditions.

Please feel free to use these places whenever you need a few peaceful moments.

Memorial Page
Memorial pages have been created in honour and in memory of babies and children who have died at Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC. 

Other resources

Books and written materials for children and adults are available through the Spiritual Care office. We serve people of many different faiths, and materials from your own tradition may be available. If you need help contacting your own minister or someone of your own religion, faith, or denomination, please speak to the chaplain.

A chaplain is available on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outside of regular office hours, a team of on-call chaplains responds to emergencies. Please ask a nurse or staff person to page us, or leave a message at our office. We are able to visit you in our office or any other area of the hospital.