A blessing from senior faith leaders

University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), recently welcomed The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton, and The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, to their Chaplaincy Centre at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

It was the first visit from senior faith leaders since its opening in March 2025, and was an opportunity to both formally bless the space as well as licence its Lead Chaplain, Revd James Taylor.

James said: "Our Chaplaincy Centre welcomes patients, families, staff and visitors of all faiths and none to this sacred space at the heart of UHD. Chaplains, supported by chaplaincy volunteers, are based here every day of the year, carrying out visits across the wards and public areas of the hospital. 

Since 2021 the Chaplaincy has been one unified service across UHD, which comprises Poole, the Royal Bournemouth. and Christchurch hospitals. Chaplains are highly valued by the Trust , and by our faith and belief communities that authorise and send them. 

 As Lead Chaplain, I take very seriously my public accountability to my faith community, the Church of England, and this visit shows how seriously the wider church takes the work of Chaplaincy.

I was also able to show them around our new environment at the Royal Bournemouth, where the bishops were delighted to meet and talk with some of our midwifery team. It was also a celebration of the journey that we have taken as a chaplaincy since moving onto the BEACH building almost a year ago.

I felt immense pride for the bishops to meet the chaplains and volunteers who make up our diverse team, and to show how we are working at the heart of the hospital to support our patients, their families, and our colleagues."