Minister with power to get through to one of those in hospital (8)

I believe the answer is:

preacher

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But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?

(Other definitions for preacher that I've seen before include "Gospeller" , "One spreading religious message" , "Religious minister" , "Sermoniser; minister" , "Someone spreading a gospel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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