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Spiritual Care Program returns to Stevenson Memorial Hospital

June 27, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) has announced the re-launch of its Spiritual Care Program.

The program had been temporarily on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has now been reintroduced thanks to volunteers.

Led by volunteers Reverend Kim McArthur of St. Andrew Anglican Church in Alliston and SMH Auxiliary president Carla Beckett from the Spiritual Care Team has been working diligently to provide compassionate support, spiritual comfort, and meaningful conversation to patients in need.

Members of the team participate in training and meetings with a psychotherapist to ensure their readiness and mental health awareness.

“Carla is unique and having the Auxiliary volunteers participate in the Spiritual Care program has made this happen,” said Rev. McArthur. “The support of the hospital has been wonderful. It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to serve at SMH.”

The role of the Spiritual Care Team does not involve the promotion of any specific religion or belief. Their primary function is to provide attentive listening, support, and advocacy for visitors.

“It can be very intimidating in a hospital,” Rev. McArthur said. “People are very vulnerable in their hospital rooms. Some people don’t know what’s happening and they’re scared. That is what the Spiritual Care Program is for. We go in, introduce ourselves as Spiritual Care Visitors, see if they would like a visit, and patients just start talking. There’s a real connection with our humanities and our spirits, whether people know it or not.”

Spirituality can greatly impact a patient’s well-being – an often overlooked area in healthcare. According to studies, unmet spiritual needs in patients can lead to reduced levels of quality of life, increased risk of depression, and reduction in perception of spiritual peace.

“Spirituality is part of our being, we’re physical, psychological, but our spirituality is just as important as the rest of our being,” said SMH Auxiliary president Carla Beckett. “When people are facing the end of life or a serious illness, it can be a great comfort to have spiritual support and a strong sense of faith.”

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