Spiritual care draws on respect, trust, and understanding. It delivers a supportive presence. This presence can add to spiritual and emotional health and well-being.
Spiritual care offers a compassionate, listening presence. This honours the dignity and value of each person. Spiritual conversation enables a person to explore their inner resources and outer supports. This exploration can sustain them through tough times.
Our Spiritual Care team is a part of the multidisciplinary team. They deliver support for patients, families, and friends. A spiritual carer is available in each ward of the hospital. A pastoral carer works throughout the ambulatory areas.
Spiritual care can be beneficial at any stage of the cancer experience.
Spiritual care can be particularly beneficial when:
- A person is recently diagnosed with cancer
- A disease status changes
- A patient receives news that highlights the uncertainty of their future
- A person has questions of life, meaning, and purpose
- A person is feeling sad
- A person is feeling lonely or isolated
- Family members need support
- A person moving towards the end of life
- There are specific religious or spiritual needs
Reflection Space
The Reflection Space is open 24 hours a day and supplies a quiet space for:
- Reflection
- Personal prayer
- Meditation
- Sanctuary
Our Reflection Space welcomes people of all faiths and those with no religious affiliation.
Within the Reflection Space there is an organ and a piano. Patients, visitors, and staff are welcome to use this piano.
A bookshelf with sacred texts and icons is on the right before entering the Reflection Space. This includes texts and icons for Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths.
There is also a book for people to write their prayers into. These can be prayers of thanksgiving, hope, despair, and request. You can find it in the corridor leading to the Reflection Space.
The Reflection Space is on our ground floor within Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) building in Melbourne.
Spiritual Care services
We hold a time for reflection in the Reflection Space every weekday morning from 9:00 to 9:15 am.
We hold meditation sessions in the Wellbeing Centre on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30am – 11.00am
We hold an annual memorial service in November. During this time, we reflect on and remember the lives of our patients who have died throughout the year.
Meditation
We run group meditation classes each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1030am – 11,00am. This is in the Wellbeing Centre on the 1st floor at Peter Mac within the VCCC building, Melbourne.
We welcome inpatients, outpatients, relatives, friends, and staff to take part. This participation is regardless of level of experience.
Meditating in a group deepens the practice of quieting the mind and relaxation. This can help create inner stillness and peace. It can allow your wisdom, courage, and insight to be present.
You do not need to book for classes.
Availability of spiritual care
Spiritual Care offers an on-call service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Referral information
Please speak to your treating team, ward staff, or contact us, if you wish to see a spiritual carer.
You do not need to contact the service or make any bookings to visit or attend:
- The Reflection Space
- A spiritual service
- A meditation session
Location
Reflection Space
Ground floor (behind the research lifts)
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
305 Grattan Street
Melbourne, 3000
Contact us
Spiritual Care
- Phone: (03) 8559 5220 (Option 6)
Please leave a message on the answering machine if there is no answer. We will return your call as soon as possible.
Please call the switchboard on (03) 8559 5000 if the matter is urgent. Ask the operator to page the spiritual carer on duty.
Spiritual Care resources
Downloads
Links
- Spiritual Health Association
- Spiritual Care Australia
- Association for Supervised and Clinical Pastoral Education in Victoria Incorporated