Pastoral care in hospitals

Sickness and death often raise questions, fear, and uncertainty. Talking about it or praying with someone may help you deal with and overcome these.

We encourage you to contact one of our hospital chaplains when:

  • you need a listening ear;
  • you need someone to talk to;
  • you want to have a moment of spiritual reflection, make your confession, or receive communion;
  • you want someone to pray for and with you;
  • you are facing difficult questions and hard decisions;
  • you are touched by grief;
  • you want to spend a moment of prayer or communion with a loved one who is ill or dying;
  • you want to have a farewell devotion or say farewell to a deceased loved one;
  • you need church ceremonies or confession in the hospital;
  • you need a priest of your own church or denomination.

Spiritual care in hospitals respects the religious faith and beliefs of each person based on religious freedom. No church membership is required to see a chaplain. Our staff are bound by unconditional confidentiality.

Six hospital chaplains are working in Espoo’s hospitals and nursing homes. The area’s parish staff serve private nursing homes.

On weekends, in case of emergency (Fri 3 p.m. – Mon 9 a.m.), you can contact the hospital chaplain on call through the hospital or nursing home staff.

Hospital chaplains are employed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church to work in health care. They are available for personal conversations and church services. Hospital chaplaincy services are for residents, patients, relatives, and staff in hospitals and nursing homes.

Our hospital chaplains and their contact details:

Aino Bärlund
Hospital chaplain, supervisor, psychotherapist, HUS Jorvi Hospital
aino.barlund@evl.fi
040 569 3303, 09 4711 (switchboard)
ext-aino.barlund@hus.fi

Pirjo Kuula
Hospital chaplain, Espoo Hospital and Home Hospital
pirjo.kuula@evl.fi
040 537 6875

Taina Latvala
Hospital chaplain, HUS Jorvi Hospital, Espoo Hospital Emergency Ward
taina.latvala@evl.fi
050 438 0188

Tarja Mikkola
Hospital chaplain, supervisor, Espoo Rinnekodit, 
tarja.mikkola@evl.fi
040 736 9312

Salla Tyrväinen
Hospital chaplain, Auroranmäki, Leppävaara Elä ja asu Senior Citizen Centre, Kauklahti Elä ja asu Senior Citizen Centre
salla.tyrvainen@evl.fi
040 481 4533

Markku Elo
Leading hospital chaplain, supervisor, consultant, Espoo Hospital
markku.elo@evl.fi
050 336 1484

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