An NHS trust reportedly sought religious intervention after frightened staff at a hospice in Norwich claimed to have witnessed a series of unsettling paranormal incidents, including repeated sightings of a “small girl in a red dress.”
The incidents were said to have occurred at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, a hospice located near Colman Hospital and formerly home to the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital. The facility was later operated by the Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust before staff raised concerns about unexplained occurrences within the building.
Reports of Paranormal Experiences
According to sources familiar with the situation, staff working at the hospice complained of what they described as “paranormal incidents,” sparking fear that the site may still be inhabited by the spirits of children who once received treatment there when it functioned as a children’s hospital.
Among the most frequently reported experiences was the alleged appearance of a young girl wearing a red dress. Staff reportedly described having a “difficult time” coping with the situation, prompting management to seek reassurance through spiritual means.
Contact With Church Authorities
Akahi News gathered that the NHS trust contacted Norwich Cathedral to request holy oil, which was intended for use in a religious ceremony aimed at calming staff and patients who believed the building was haunted.
A chaplain reportedly explained that the oil would be used during a religious service to bless the building and help allay fears rather than to perform a formal exorcism.
Subsequently, an email was sent to the Diocese of Norwich confirming that church officials were in “conversation with a member of the deliverance team,” a term commonly associated with ministers trained in prayers against perceived spiritual disturbances.
“Blessing of the Building” Conducted
The NHS trust later confirmed that a “blessing of the building” was carried out. However, it denied that an exorcist ever physically visited the hospice or that any formal exorcism took place.
The trust also declined to provide specific details about the nature of the paranormal activities reportedly experienced by staff and patients.
Site Later Vacated
Following the reported incidents, Priscilla Bacon Lodge relocated to new premises in 2023. The former children’s hospital building, which was briefly repurposed as a therapy unit, is now no longer in use.
Exorcisms and deliverance practices, while deeply rooted in religious tradition, gained widespread popular attention following the release of the 1970s horror film The Exorcist, which introduced the concept of demonic possession to mainstream culture. Observers note that while such practices are rare in modern public institutions, religious blessings are sometimes used to provide comfort in emotionally charged environments.
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