A journey of faith, service and leadership
Our lead chaplain, Yunus Dudhwala, reflects on both the high points and the more challenging moments of his NHS journey upon being awarded a Fellowship from the College of Healthcare Chaplains, a distinction held by only seven chaplains nationwide.
This recognition is a profound honour, but it also reflects the colleagues, teams, and communities I have been privileged to work with over the years.
Alongside my theological background, I have always loved helping people, which naturally led me to this vocation. Working in an NHS chaplaincy team has allowed me to follow my passion for supporting people at their most vulnerable moments.
At its core, my work has always been guided by a simple principle: being present when it matters most. Supporting patients, families, and colleagues through illness, uncertainty, and loss is both a privilege and a responsibility that continues to shape my practice.
I first walked into Newham Hospital as a chaplaincy volunteer in 1998, and I haven’t looked back since.
A significant part of my journey has been helping to integrate Muslim chaplaincy into the NHS at a time when very few Muslim chaplains existed anywhere in the country. Over the years, I’ve worked alongside colleagues to ensure spiritual care meets the diverse needs of our communities, and that Muslim chaplaincy is recognised as an essential part of holistic care.
I have also been passionate about engaging with the Muslim community to raise awareness of healthcare chaplaincy as a profession. Encouraging others to consider chaplaincy as a meaningful vocation has been an important part of my work, helping to build a more representative and inclusive workforce.
A particular career highlight was being named NHS Employee of the Year in 2010, where I won a brand-new car!
One of the most challenging periods of my career was undoubtedly the COVID‑19 pandemic. Chaplaincy teams had to adapt quickly to unprecedented circumstances, continuing to provide spiritual and pastoral care in new and often difficult ways.
During my time leading chaplaincy at the Nightingale Hospital at the ExCeL, I was close to dying patients and their relatives, witnessing firsthand the devastating impact the pandemic had on families. It highlighted just how vital chaplaincy is in supporting both patients and staff, and many colleagues who were previously unaware of our work came to recognise its value during those darkest months.
As head of chaplaincy for more than 20 years at Barts Health, I remain continually inspired by the dedication, compassion, and resilience of my chaplaincy colleagues. Supporting and developing teams to provide high‑quality, timely, inclusive care has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.
I have also had the opportunity to contribute more broadly to the profession, including supporting recruitment and standards through my work with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy. Being involved in professional appointments has reinforced the importance of maintaining high standards while strengthening chaplaincy as a respected and accountable profession.
I remain committed to continuing this work and supporting the ongoing development of chaplaincy within the NHS.
Read more