Revolutionary new role at RAH

The first paid Baptist staff chaplain in any hospital in the State has commenced work at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).

Although Baptist Care SA has had coordinating chaplains in hospitals before, traditionally, the weight of on the ground staff chaplaincy has been filled by Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Church communities and volunteers.

Baptist Care SA Staff Chaplain Ian Warner describes the move, which has been years in preparation, as “revolutionary”.

Funded by Baptist Care SA, the three-year contract has been filled by Paul Tyler, a veteran Baptist minister who has served

Paul Tyler, the new Chaplain at the Royal Adelaide Hospital

in both church-based ministry and chaplaincy, including in a voluntary capacity at the RAH. Paul was previously a pastor at Rostrevor Baptist, West Beach and WestCare Churches.

Hospital environments are intensely unique in that they are a space where people are vulnerable and often confronting mortality and questions of purpose.

“As staff chaplain I have the opportunity to offer God’s love and compassion to people who are hugely vulnerable and support them in their journey, meeting them where they’re at – in all in their fragility,” says Paul.

With 700 overnight beds, the RAH is the largest public hospital in the State. It is estimated that Paul will support close to 4000 people each year, including patients and their families, as well as RAH staff and volunteers.

Many thanks to Craig Bossie, RAH Manager, Wellness and Spiritual Care Services, and to the Baptist Churches of SA for their vision and support in establishing the role.

Paul joins Judy Carpenter, Lesley Vince, Ian Warner and Richard Hawke in Baptist Care SA’s chaplaincy team.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-36