Staff at a Norwich hospice were recently left rattled after claiming to experience a series of spooky incidents on site.
Among the most chilling reports was the sighting of a ghostly figure described as a “girl in a red dress.”
The building, now home to Priscilla Bacon Lodge and run by the Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, had a history as a children’s hospital, and some employees began to wonder if spirits from the past were lingering.
When the NHS Sought Help from the Church
To ease staff fears, the hospice reportedly reached out to deliverance ministers from the Church of England—clergy who specialize in what many might call exorcisms.
The team was asked to perform a religious service using holy oil to bring a sense of calm to both staff and patients worried about paranormal activity.
Deliverance ministers aren’t just characters from horror films—they are officially trained clergy who help remove harmful spirits or energies.
Their role became widely known after the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist portrayed the chilling story of a possessed young girl, which sparked public fascination with the practice.
A Glimpse into the Building’s Haunted Past
Priscilla Bacon Lodge is located near Colman Hospital and provides specialist end-of-life care.
But before that, until 1975, the building was Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital.
Some staff believe this history may be connected to the unusual sightings.
Reports included encounters with the small child in a red dress and other “paranormal incidents” that prompted the hospice chaplain to contact the Diocese of Norwich for guidance.
Emails viewed by The Telegraph reveal that in 2023, the chaplain requested “some holy oil” from Norwich Cathedral and guidance from the deliverance team.
The goal was to conduct a service to reassure those unsettled by the haunted reputation of the site.
A week later, the Diocese confirmed they were consulting with a member of the deliverance team.
What Actually Happened
The NHS trust later clarified that a “blessing of the building” was carried out but denied that any exorcist physically visited the hospice.
They declined to comment on the specifics of the paranormal claims.
By 2023, Priscilla Bacon Lodge had moved to new premises, leaving the old building unused, though it had briefly been repurposed as a therapy unit.
The Church, Exorcisms, and NHS History
This unusual episode highlights a little-known connection between the NHS and the Church of England’s deliverance ministry.
Historically, clergy were skeptical about exorcisms, but the practice saw a resurgence in the 1960s and 1970s—fueled in part by public interest following The Exorcist.
In 1974, the Church introduced updated deliverance ministry procedures requiring bishops’ permission, consultation with medical professionals, and minimal publicity.
Modern guidelines from 2019 emphasize caution, especially when ministering to vulnerable individuals, and recommend involving child welfare experts or police if necessary.
A Church of England spokesperson explained: “Deliverance ministry is a specialist form of pastoral care, rooted in the church’s commitment to healing, wholeness, and peace for those experiencing distress—whether physical, mental, or spiritual.
It is offered in the context of prayer, sacrament, and scripture, and is embedded within the wider ministry of healing.”
From Legends to Lessons
Whether or not the ghost of a girl in a red dress truly haunted the hospice, the incident reminds us of the intersection between history, faith, and modern healthcare.
For staff and patients alike, reassurance and care can sometimes come in unexpected ways—even from centuries-old religious practices.
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