Spiritual and Religious Care

North York General Hospital has a deep tradition of caring for the spiritual needs of patients/residents and their loved ones in our diverse community. Spiritual and Religious Care coordinates and provides emotional and spiritual support, as well as counseling, to people of every belief and value system. We offer a wide variety of services to patients, residents of the Seniors' Health Centre, and their families in an open, honest and non-judgmental environment.

Compassionate hospital chaplains are available to discuss with patients and their families issues or concerns as they cope with illness. For all referrals to the Spiritual & Religious Care office at the General site, please call  416-756-6311 or ask your nurse.

We also offer:

  • Regular visitation by referral

  • Sensitivity to rites and traditions of different religions

  • Accessibility to representatives of different faith groups

  • Crisis intervention

  • Bereavement support

  • End of life issues

  • Pastoral visits

Prayer books, Christian bibles, Jewish prayer shawls, Jewish prayer books, Sabbath candles, Muslim prayer mats, Buddhist chanting machine, rosary beads, Kippas, and other faith ritual items are available on request. We will also provide Christian sacraments and Roman Catholic Eucharist on request.

Chapels and worship services

Chapels are located at all the General site, Branson Ambulatory Care Centre and Seniors' Health Centre. They can be used by patients, residents and loved ones.

Regular worship services are held at the General site and Seniors' Health Centre. If you are interested, speak to your nurse or call Spiritual and Religious Care at 416-756-6311. Special services are held for major Jewish and Christian holidays.

General site: The Louise Kirby Multifaith Chapel is located on the ground floor near the Gift Shop. Sunday Christian worship takes place at 10 a.m. Special services are held for major Jewish and Christian holidays. Other services may be requested.

Branson Ambulatory Care Centre: A multifaith chapel is open for all faiths on the main floor off the east/west corridor near the cafeteria. The chapel is open daily for prayer and meditation.

Seniors' Health Centre: A multifaith chapel is located on the 3rd floor across from the elevators. Sunday Christian Worship is held at 2:30 p.m. There is also monthly Communion service, daily Muslim prayers and weekly Sabbath services. Other special services for major religious holidays are also held.

Contact us

To see a chaplain, minister, priest, rabbi, imam or other spiritual care giver, call 416- 756-6311.

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Evening, weekends, holidays and emergencies: Have the nurse call for a Roman Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi, or the on-call chaplain through paging. An on-call chaplain is available 7 days a week.