AIREDALE NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed a Buddhist priest to its chaplaincy team.

Rebecca Habergham will help provide spiritual and pastoral support to patients, visitors and staff at Airedale Hospital.

She said: "Whatever their spiritual beliefs, patients and their families – and colleagues – can come to me to have an informal chat about anything that is on their mind.

"Patients can often be faced with a big change when coming into hospital and start thinking of questions they may never have considered before, so it is important to be supportive and offer a listening ear."

The trust's lead chaplain, Liz Maitland, said she was delighted to welcome Rebecca to the multi-faith team.

She added: "Having a Buddhist chaplain broadens and enriches the support that we can offer.

"In the chaplaincy team we have members who support distinctive faith groups, but we all work together and learn from each other."