Faith space refurbishment welcomes all
Chaplaincy services provide both an impartial and multifaith service to patients and relatives who would like someone to talk to in hospital.
As a result, the chapel at Northwick Park Hospital is being refurbished to provide a larger, more accessible space for people of all faiths, as well as those looking for somewhere quiet to sit and reflect.
The existing chapel, which dates from 1979 when the hospital first opened, is on non-consecrated ground meaning it has never been formerly blessed by the Church of England or other religious authorities.
Due to its age, it is no longer compliant with modern NHS chaplaincy guidelines. New draft designs therefore focus on creating a flexible layout, so that different religious communities can display symbols and icons during their own services without having symbols from other religions on display - an approach the team hope will prove more respectful for everyone.
Lead chaplain Rizwan Rawat said: “We all join together under one roof in a hospital and that should be reflected in a multifaith space, especially in an area as diverse as this.
“There is a lot of intolerance in the world at the moment so sanctuaries like this where people can come together are more important than ever.”
The chaplaincy service is holding several events for to hear from local communities, patients and employees about the planned refurbishment, which is expected to start in February 2026.
Members of the public are encouraged to join our community events online on MS Teams:
• Tuesday 6 January, 1pm to 2pm
• Tuesday 20th January, 12noon to 1pm
Anyone who can't attend but is keen to share their views is encouraged to complete an online questionnaire.
The team will also be reaching out to religious leaders and local faith groups to hear their views directly.