Hospital staff pull out all the stops for patients at Christmas

Hospital staff have pulled out all the stops to spread festive cheer across their wards for patients spending Christmas away from home this year.

Christmas elves have been busy delivering gifts, meals and carol concerts across Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Evelina London hospitals.

Seventeen twinkling trees have sprouted up and around the grounds, hung with baubles decorated with thank you messages from patients and families showing appreciation for their care.

For the young patients at Evelina London Children’s Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, teams have been working around the clock to ensure Christmas is packed with fun.

Last week, ten patients and their families sailed down the River Thames, from the London Eye to Tower Bridge, taking in the capital’s sights.

Children eagerly watched as Santa arrived in style on a launch boat adorned with tinsel and wreaths. 

On board, each patient and their family received a gift from Santa, whilst the Evelina London Play team and boat crew joined forces to sing merry songs and play games. 

It was 11-year-old Dexter’s first time on a boat. Dexter has been a patient at Evelina London since he was three days old. 

During the past decade he has had more than 20 operations, including a kidney transplant, and attends the hospital regularly for transplant reviews. 

The LEGO-enthusiast from Chatham, Kent met Santa, and received the best possible gift, a new LEGO set. 

Dexter said “It was the best present I could have been given. I’ve never seen Santa on a boat before. It was really fun!”

The grotto on the Thames was made possible thanks to the Port of London Authority. In addition to giving patients at the specialist children’s hospital a once in a lifetime experience, it is donating £10,000 to Evelina London Children’s Charity. 

Sue Pruden, play service manager of the therapeutic play service, said: “In hospital, families don’t often have the opportunity to spend time together. Experiences like this, that the whole family can enjoy and create memories together, are especially invaluable at Christmas time.”

On Christmas day, patients across all three hospitals will receive a gift, alongside a special Christmas lunch.

Preparation for Christmas lunch across the hospitals is no small feat and officially began in October. 

By Christmas Day, the catering teams will have prepared more than 3,500 festive meals for NHS teams and patients to tuck into. 

In addition to the traditional favourites, which include more than 1,700 servings of roast turkey and almost 900 helpings of stuffing, the catering team have been trialling some new recipes they hope will become festive favourites including a salmon mousse with pumpkin puree, and jackfruit cutlets with tomato salsa. 

Brenda Agbonavbare, deputy retail catering manager at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Christmas is one of those times of year that inspires reflection.

“For some it is a moment to contemplate the meaning of family, but for us, there is a simpler message to take away: It is a season to be jolly and showcase our labour of love, a feast that is shared with colleagues and our NHS community.”

The hospitals are also running initiatives to support the selfless NHS staff who will be working tirelessly in the run up to the big day.  Festive treats will be delivered to wards, with a Christmas Day free meal and a series of festive wellbeing walks to help lift spirits.

 To show your gratitude and support the work of the incredible NHS team this festive period, visit the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity website: https://gsttcharity.org.uk/.

Pictured top: Evelina London patient Kavelle Edwards with Santa on the cruise last week (Picture: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust)