EDITED: Extraordinary Minister [to the sick] Questions

[Michael_Mayo]

Still, there are also many wonderfully dedicated volunteers in hospital ministry whose contribution shouldn’t be overlooked.

That is for sure. Perhaps even more meaningful to know the person is coming out of their own generosity of time simply to provide the sacrament.

 

[ProVobis]

Even is those larger hospitals which do have a full time priest chaplain, the number of communicants is often too large

This depends on the culture. In English Masses and among the Anglophones it seems, virtually everyone receives. (And that’s not necessarily a good thing.) In Spanish and Polish Masses, OTOH half of them don’t, if not more. Furthermore, in the Polish and some other cultures, communion is possible (like the oplatki) without consecrated bread. Let’s not underestimate the spiritual benefits of this and also praying together with the patient. Those who volunteer for such work, as well as just being there to talk, should be commended as well IMO. Not everyone is cut out to be an EMHC.