The Trust’s Chaplaincy team provides spiritual, pastoral and religious care to patients, relatives and staff. We recognise that all people have a spiritual dimension to their lives - those things which give you a sense of identity, meaning and purpose.
The Trust employs four chaplains, the Senior Chaplain the Reverend Bob Simmonds, supported by the Reverend Tumaini Kalaghe, the Reverend Richard Bainbridge and Andy Ferguson. The Roman Catholic Chaplain is Father John Paul Lyttle and the Muslim Chaplain is Iman Mohammad Qari.
Whatever your circumstances or beliefs, you may find that you would value the opportunity to talk with someone in confidence about your feelings or thoughts. You do not have to be "religious" to talk to a chaplain. We are committed to care for each individual and to respect all people regardless of race, religion, creed or belief, gender, culture or lifestyle.
The team is made up of Christian and Muslim chaplains, who are employed by the Trust. There are also honorary chaplains representing other major world faiths.
We operate a 24 hour on-call service. Contact details of which can be found below.
Our office is located on level 2, at the end of the corridor next to the Cashier's Office (main entrance Craven Road).
To call a chaplain, please ask a member of staff to contact the department or self refer by telephoning 0118 322 7105 where you can speak to a chaplain or leave a message. If you need to make an urgent referral at anytime of day or night please phone the hospital switchboard on 0118 322 5111 and ask for the duty chaplain. If you need a Roman Catholic Chaplain or the Imam please make this clear when speaking to switchboard.
Places for quiet reflection:
Spiritual Healthcare Department (Chaplaincy)
Level 2 Main Reception
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Craven Road
Reading RG1 5AN