Nurse Phil joins the clergy
Date of release: 1 February 2024
A Wolverhampton Nurse is combining caring for patients with nurturing the body and soul after joining the clergy.
Phil Douglas in his uniform (left) and in church
Reverend Phil Douglas, 60, a Staff Nurse, works three days a week at Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary and performs his parish duties on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Phil, who lives in Wednesfield, is now serving his curacy at the Church of the Epiphany in Oxley for the next five years.
He sees similarities between both careers. “Both involve caring as well as serving others,” said Phil, who is based at New Cross Hospital, part of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).
“In a way I’m following tradition, as the first Nurses were monks who saw it as their religious duty to care for the sick.
“I can do the deacon role at work as you don’t need a clerical collar. Then there are things such as praying for colleagues who may have a time of need.”
Phil started attending a Methodist church in 1986 where he was christened. But he says God “called” him to the Church of England.
Initially his training was academic, studying for a Graduate Certificate in Theology, Ministry and Mission, at The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following completion of this he was ordained at Lichfield Cathedral.
“Over two years I studied the bible, doctrine, spirituality and worship and gained practical experience in leading worship and preaching. Juggling study with work was tough,” said Phil.
“The training is also about formation – you’re ‘reformed’ by God into the person he’s called you to be. It’s a lifelong process.”
Now he is studying to be a curate – a priest in a parish but not in charge of it. Phil describes this as like an “apprenticeship” after becoming a deacon, the first stage of his ordained role.
“I assist leading worship, preach and administer holy communion,” he added. “But a deacon’s role is also about bridging the gap to the wider community – to take God’s love to the forgotten corners of society, to the lost and the wanderer.”
Phil now intends to become a priest, for which he will be ordained in June. That will sit alongside his deacon role, enabling him to celebrate holy communion.
One of his more demanding tasks is preparing sermons.
“It can take lots of time,” he said. “There are set Bible readings for each service. Often, I let an idea from a reading ‘buzz’ for a few days. I’ve used everyday things like the vending machine at work and my cats!”
Abigail Francis, Senior Sister, Ophthalmology Outpatients Department, said: “As a team we’re extremely proud of Phil and his achievements. Members of the team attended his ordination and his Christmas service. He’s very approachable, caring and supportive of us, ‘his work family’.”
Phil trained at New Cross and the former Royal Hospital from the age of 18 before working in Theatres at the latter for 10 years.
After graduating in Nursing in Oxford, he returned to RWT, and bar a short stint in prison nursing and addiction services, has been with RWT ever since, at Cannock Eye Centre before almost four years at the Eye Infirmary.
ENDS
- For further information, please call Tim Nash on 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net
