New Taupō Hospital chaplain Jacqui Leyden was formally welcomed to her new role on Wednesday last week. Photo / Rachel Canning
New Taupō Hospital chaplain Jacqui Leyden was formally welcomed to her new role on Wednesday last week. Photo / Rachel Canning
New Taupō Hospital chaplain Jacqui Leyden has gone from tending to people's financial health to tending to their spiritual health.
Jacqui started her chaplain role one day before the country went into Covid-19 lockdown and was officially welcomed last week.
Having lived in Taupō since the 1970's, Jacqui says many people may know her by her previous name Jacqui Wilks, or from her previous role as an accountant for 25 years.
"It's been a big career change. Becoming the chaplain at Taupō Hospital has been a long journey."
Currently studying for a diploma in Christian studies, Jacqui is deacon for St Andrew's Anglican Church and St Matthew's Church, Oruanui, and often helps with services at both churches. Having grown up in Oruanui, Jacqui also enjoys working with farmers as a health and safety advisor for Rural Safe as well as doing their books.
As an accountant Jacqui had many staff and provided service to corporate clients around the North Island. She says learning to build relationships is a key skill she brings from her accounting experience.
"Accountants are well trained in supporting people. They need to build a relationship so they can get information out of people. There is often far more to it than what is written on paper."
New Taupo Hospital chaplain Jacqui Leyden is presented with her new work phone by site manager Ange Guy. Photo / Rachel Canning
At Taupō Hospital Jacqui will be supported in her role as chaplain by volunteer chaplaincy assistants Hazel Georgantis, Trixie Tindall and Brian Gee and by Lakes District Health Board lead chaplain Wendy Emsley.
Jacqui says a hospital chaplain's role is to provide support, prayer and a listening ear to patients on the ward, their whānau and hospital staff.
"It is recognised there are better outcomes for those who receive prayer and spiritual care within the health care system."
It is a sentiment echoed by Te Pīhopatanga o Te Manawa o Te Wheke, the Rev Canon and Tūwharetoa Health trustee Robert Kereopa who urged the DHB to allocate more hours for chaplaincy services.
"To the Māori way of thinking there are four areas of health, the mind, body, family and spirit. The World Health Organisation recognises the first three strings but Tūwharetoa Health gives more priority to spiritual health," said Robert.
Lakes DHB asked chaplaincy services to continue in the hospitals during lockdown and Jacqui said they were able to provide an invaluable service. Jacqui is normally found on the ward in the morning, three days a week at Taupō Hospital.
