NORFOLK - During a time of fear and sickness, the Spiritual Care team at Faith Regional in Norfolk is still serving the community.

What is the Spiritual Care team:

The spiritual care team is made up of four clergy members representing Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist and Evangelical Protestant faith traditions. A member of the Spiritual Care team is available either in the hospital or on call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

The team provides spiritual support for patients in all areas of the system from birth to time of death; inpatient as well as hospice services. It also serves as a liaison for area clergy, particularly in situations where local clergy may not be available or when visits from local clergy are restricted, as they are right now.

The Spiritual Care team also provides spiritual support for FRHS employees.

How has COVID-19 affected the team:

Spiritual Care Department continues to provide all Spiritual Care services as before. During times like these, the goal is to ensure ongoing support for patients, staff members and area clergy.

This is especially important right now, while Faith Regional has a 'no visitor' policy in place.

The team is also providing sacraments/communion to patients and facilitating coordination of clergy visits for sacraments that they are unable to provide, like Catholic Sacrament of Anointing.

Safety is also a priority right now. The team is ensuring appropriate supplies and personal protective equipment are available for clergy in the event that they must come to the hospital... while helping coordinate those visits.