Mary Hanna, lay chaplain for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation trust, has been appointed Bishops’ adviser for health care chaplaincy for the Diocese of Peterborough. The role involves briefing Bishops Rt. Revd. Donald Allister and Rt. Revd. John Holbrook in all matters relating to health care chaplaincy within the diocese. This includes issues relating to pastoral care, policy development, the appointment of health care chaplains and enabling links between the Bishops and local chaplains and NHS structures.
Mary was appointed mental health chaplain for the Trust, based at the Cavell centre in 2010. She is supported in her chaplaincy role by by Revd. Ros lane and Revd. John Nicholson senior chaplain. Prior to her calling to chaplaincy, Mary worked for 33 years in Social work and mental health settings, retiring in 2010 as Associate Director for Adult mental health and Social work. Since taking on her chaplaincy role, Mary has obtained a degree in Health Care chaplaincy at St Mary’s University College Twickenham and is currently undertaking an MA in Christian Spirituality at Sarum College Salisbury.
Mary said, ‘I am honoured and delighted to have been offered this post and look forward to working with my colleagues in chaplaincy and the NHS to deliver on this role’.