Pastoral Care includes spiritual, emotional and religious care for all people within the hospital community. Pastoral Care recognises that all people attempt to make meaning of their experience - the spiritual dimension of life. This dimension finds expression through religious affiliation or connections with other communities. Pastoral care is provided by professionals who offer respectful and compassionate listening; opportunities for people to tell their stories, hopes and fears; resources to promote inner strength; and rituals to mark significant life events. Pastoral Care is actively involved in the bereavement care offered within the hospital. The pastoral care department at Mercy Hospital for Women (MHW) offers Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programmes within the Mercy CPE Centre. In conjunction with MHW, Werribee Mercy Hospital accepts CPE participants for placement.

Inpatient services Patients are visited routinely or by referral to assess and to respond appropriately to spiritual, religious or emotional needs. When requested rituals are conducted. Arrangements can be made for visits by denominational Christian chaplains or appropriate faith representatives. Pastoral Care staff work closely with the multi-disciplinary staff to provide holistic care to all people.

Outpatient services Pastoral Care is available within the Outpatients Department and through referral by patient request, a General Practitioner or hospital staff.

Mercy Hospital for Women
Department Head
Ms Mary Klasen - Pastoral Care Director
Telephone: 8458 4689
Facsimile: 8485 4818
E-mail: mklasen@mercy.com.au
Hours of service Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.00pm
Sunday mornings and public holidays- on-call and will come into hospital when requested to do so

Contact details Pastoral Care staff
Telephone: 8458 4688
E-mail: pastoralcare@mercy.com.au

Werribee Mercy Hospital Department Head
Sr Trudy Keur rsm - Pastoral Care Coordinator
Telephone: 9216 8657
Facsimile: 9216 8777
E-mail: tkeur@mercy.com.au
Hours of service Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.00pm

Contact details Pastoral Care staff
Telephone: 9216 8951