The Chapel

Members of the Chaplaincy team visit the wards regularly and provide a 24 hour service for patients, relatives and staff. We are available to listen to patients of any faith or none. Requests for visits and pastoral support come to us from a variety of sources, but it is always helpful if you make a point of asking the nurse to contact us.

Alternatively you can always get in touch before you are admitted by phoning the Chaplaincy office on 01305 255198.

The Dorset County Hospital Chapel

The Chapel is situated on level 3 of the South Wing and is open at all times as a place of quiet, reflection and prayer. There is a short, half hour communion service on Sunday mornings at 10.00am. Wheelchair lifts are always available and communion is distributed on the wards to patients who cannot attend the Chapel Service.

The Chaplaincy Team

• Rev. Nigel Tooth (Church of England)
• Fr. John Rice (Roman Catholic)
• Rev. James Thorneycroft (Free Church)
• Penny Fennell (Lay Free Church)

Trained volunteers also play an important part in the work of the Chaplaincy. Many are ward visitors, but others assist by taking Holy Communion to bedsides, or by helping patients to chapel in wheelchairs. Representatives of other faiths can be contacted through the Ward Staff and Chaplaincy Team. The Hospital Muslim faith community use the chapel on Thursdays at 8.30pm for evening prayer and reading the Koran, and for Friday prayer between 1.15 and 1.45pm.