Departments in UHK

Chaplaincy – Pastoral and Spiritual Care

Pastoral Care is available to all patients, their families and staff of all faiths and none and has been an integral part of the hospital’s approach to holistic patient care since 1984. Pastoral Care involves compassionate listening, supportive and non-judgmental presence as well as sacramental and religious care.

The pastoral care offices are situated next to the Hospital Chapel (Christ the Healer). We can be reached on the internal pager system, via reception or through ward staff.

The Pastoral Care Department has three full-time employees and one part-time all of which are accredited Healthcare Chaplains

We offer a 12 – hour service on the wards each day of the year. In addition to this, we have an on-call service from 9pm to 9am each day for emergencies which typically occur in the Emergency Department, the Mortuary or on a ward where a patient has died or their condition has deteriorated. We work as part of the hospital Multidisciplinary team and our service contributes to the overall care of patients, families’ and staff.

Key Services

Mass Times at Chapel of Christ the Healer UHK
Week Days Monday to Friday 1.10pm
Weekend: Vigil Saturday 8.15pm and Sunday 11am
Christmas Eve Vigil 8.15pm and Christmas Day 11am
Easter Celebrations:
Holy Thursday 8.15pm
Good Friday Devotions and Veneration of the Cross 1.10p,
Holy Saturday Vigil 8pm
St Patrick’s Day: Vigil 8.15pm and 11am

Department/Committee Members:

Department Head Teddy Linehan 0667184000 Ex 310 teddy.linehan@hse.ie

Pastoral Carer Gerard O Leary 0667184000 Ex310 gerard.oleary1@hse.ie

Pastoral Carer Margaret Naughton 0667184000 Ex309 Margaret.naughton2@hse.ie

Pastoral Carer Tara Kavanagh 0667184000 Ex308 Tara.kavanagh@hse.ie

Church of Ireland Chaplain on Call 089-4416943

Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education is a preparatory course for healthcare chaplaincy and for other forms of pastoral ministry. University Hospital Kerry is accredited by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board (HCB) and the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE Ireland) to offer CPE. Modules are twelve weeks in duration and are run three times each year in January, May and September. This involves education, supervision and a clinical placement.

For further details please contact Dr Margaret Naughton on margaret.naughton2@hse.ie