The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, visited the Leicester Royal Infirmary on Saturday 12 September as part of a pastoral visit ahead of a special service at Leicester Cathedral.
During her visit, Archbishop Sarah met the Trust’s Chaplaincy team and chaplaincy volunteers at the hospital’s Spiritual Centre before visiting Ward 31, where she spoke with patients and frontline colleagues.
Kartar Bring, Head of Chaplaincy at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “It was a privilege for UHL to be part of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s diocesan visit, and we were delighted to welcome her to the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
“Archbishop Sarah met members of our chaplaincy team and volunteers, and it was an honour to showcase how our dedicated multi-faith and belief chaplaincy service supports patients, families and colleagues across our hospitals.
“Drawing on her previous experience as Chief Nursing Officer for England, she shared valuable insights into the role chaplaincy plays in delivering holistic, person-centred care, supporting staff wellbeing, and the opportunities and challenges facing the NHS.”
During her visit to Ward 31, Archbishop Sarah spoke with patients and their families, asking about their care, listening with compassion, and providing words of comfort and a place in her prayers.
George Taylor, a patient on ward 31, was visited by Archbishop Sarah. Matt Tutt, his son-in-law, said: “George is coming to the end of his life, so having that support network within the hospital means a lot for the family. We were quite surprised that the Archbishop was coming to visit him; it’s nice when times are difficult to have that extra support.”
Before entering ordained ministry, Archbishop Sarah trained and worked as a nurse, holding a number of clinical and senior leadership roles within the NHS. She served as Chief Nursing Officer for England from 1999 and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing.
During an address to UHL colleagues and chaplaincy volunteers, she said: “It’s important for me to say thank you for all you do. I recognise that what you do is not always straightforward, it is not always easy, but I know that you continue to do it with grace and professionalism and that you continue to make a difference to so many people.
“I have always been convinced about the intersectionality of faith and health, and the fact that if someone is unwell it impacts their faith. Also, if someone is recovering, faith can assist that recovery.”
Following her visit to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Archbishop Sarah attended a special Choral Evensong at Leicester Cathedral, marking the centenary of the Cathedral and the Diocese of Leicester.
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester said: “It was lovely to see how warmly everyone welcomed the Archbishop over the weekend. There was a real sense that her visit was a source of encouragement to all those she met. At the hospital, staff were clearly impressed by her depth of knowledge and understanding of the challenges they face.
“She engaged with patients, chaplains and volunteer chaplains with remarkable ease and warmth, reflecting her considerable experience in this field and her genuine commitment to listening to and supporting those she encountered.”