The dedicated staff caring for patients this Christmas Day
For most people, Christmas Day is spent with family and friends, unwrapping presents in sparkly jumpers and overindulging on festive food. However, December 25 can look very different for healthcare staff on duty helping those in need.
So, while you're tucking into your turkey with all the trimmings this Monday, please spare a thought for all those looking after the most sick, injured and vulnerable in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
We’ve profiled a small selection of dedicated colleagues who will be working on Christmas Day and asked them how they will make the day extra special.
Sian Kelly
Sian Kelly works as a senior staff nurse in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales. She is responsible for patients with complex care needs and those on long-term ventilation.
As ‘zone leader’ it is her job to ensure that patients, relatives and colleagues are looked after and have their needs met.
“As the patients on the unit may have life-changing injuries, I try to help them to have the best quality of life possible,” she said.
“Patients are able to go off the unit with their families or staff to the concourse or the lake to have the benefit of seeing different areas and people.”
On Christmas Day, Sian will be hoping to bring a bit of atmosphere to the day by dressing up as an elf while taking patients around the UHW grounds. She’ll also be holding a festive quiz, raffle and encouraging everyone to take part.
“I dress up as something different every year,” she added. “It’s lovely on Christmas Day to have families come in and spend time with the patients. We’ll have some carol singing in the long-term ventilation unit, games and everyone interacting within their limitations. My colleagues are a big help with organising all of this too.”
To top it all off, Sian is helping to organise a staff Christmas ‘afternoon high tea’ on December 25, which will include a special mocktail hour.
“I’ll celebrate Christmas after my shift with my husband and two cats,” she added. “I will FaceTime my children and grandchildren, and then get organised for the family being together on Boxing Day.”
Emma Kelly
Emma Kelly works as a healthcare support worker at Park Road Rehabilitation Houses in Whitchurch. It’s her job to support patients who are recovering from mental illness, many of whom have been in hospital from months or even years.
“I help with everyday living skills,” she explained. “This could be simply helping them work a washing machine, to helping them catch public transport, to helping them do their daily shopping.”
This year Emma is working an early shift on December 25 and will be cooking Christmas dinner with her colleague, and fellow healthcare support worker, Josie.
“We have asked the patients what they would like to have during the day, and whether they have any family traditions that we could replicate here at Park Road,” she added. “We will cater for all dietary requirements. We have vegetarians and vegans on the unit.”
On Christmas morning, every patient will receive a present to suit their needs or tastes. All patients will then sit down to have their lunch together.
Emma added: “It has been a few years since I have worked Christmas Day. My children are at the age now where they understand my job and that working Christmas is a big part. All they want is to get up a bit earlier so they can open their presents before I leave for my shift.
“Once my shift I over I will then go home to the family where we’ll have Christmas lunch together and enjoy the rest of the festivities.”
Roe Kukiewicz
Roe Kukiewicz is a registered mental health nurse based at Phoenix House, a long-term mental health rehabilitation ward.
“The setup is more like a shared house rather than an inpatient ward,” she explained. “We work with people diagnosed with enduring mental health challenges, and we aim to help people gain skills and ultimately return to independent living in the community.”
Over the Christmas period, Roe is planning on taking the residents out on a wintery walk around Bute Park, doing some arts and crafts, and even doing some baking.
“One of the residents wanted to help make a Christmas cake,” she added. “I'm going to bring in some board games from home, and we'll all be making a meal together on Christmas Day.”
Roe said it was important to make Christmas special for everyone.
“Some of our residents will have leave at home, but others will remain with us. We also have residents who do not celebrate Christmas,” she said.
“We are budgeted some money to give each of our residents a small gift, which I will try and make personal to them. I minimise doing clinical tasks during the festive period as much as possible and try to spend the shift with the residents downstairs. My colleagues and I get on really well and we've all nominated ourselves to work during the holidays.”
Roe added that she likes working Christmas Day as it’s always a “relaxed” shift. “Everyone is in a good mood, and we get to focus on spending quality time with our residents and getting to know them better.”
She will be celebrating her own Christmas Day a day early - on Christmas Eve - with her partner once she is home from her early shift.
“We’re calling it an unofficial ‘Wigilia’. My partner is Polish, and Wigilia is a traditional celebration in Poland held on Christmas Eve. We will exchange gifts and I'm hoping he will have dinner ready when I get in!”
Nicola Tannetta
Nicola Tannetta is a band six staff nurse working within the neuroscience department at UHW.
On Christmas Day, she will be working a 12-and-a-half hour shift on B4 neurosurgery caring for her patients and treating them with dignity and respect, as always.
“I will be making sure my patients are comfortable and happy,” she said. “I will be making food for my colleagues for Christmas Day as a treat. In fact, most of my colleagues will be bringing in food.
“I’m sure no-one wants to be in hospital over Christmas, but our patients will receive a present from Santa.”
Once her shift is over on December 25, Nicola will head home to have a quiet evening with her husband, as well as FaceTime her son, daughter-in-law and newborn grandson who live in Canada.
Jessica Woodfield
Jessica is deputy team leader in the Rumney District Nursing Team. She is responsible for overseeing the safe delivery of care to patients, as well as supporting the team leader and fellow colleagues to ensure care delivery is of a high standard.
“I am proactive in visiting patients and building therapeutic relationships with them, their families and loved ones to achieve the most optimal outcomes,” she explained.
This Christmas Day, Jessica will be working a late shift, visiting housebound patients to assist with administering medications. Dependent on her caseload she could be supporting other district nursing teams in the area.
“I plan on being cheerful and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. A bit of positivity goes a long way – I may even wear some tinsel in my hair,” she joked.
“I love my job and I feel it is a privilege to care for people and their families within their own home. I also want to be a supportive team member, ensuring that everyone can have a nice Christmas and feel supported.”
After her shift, she plans to cosy up with a hot water bottle, a Bailey’s hot chocolate and watch Fawlty Towers with her husband.
Tomos Kamal
Tomos Kamal is currently working as a GP trainee completing his hospital block of training. He’s based in the adult mental health unit at Hafan y Coed in University Hospital Llandough. “In my role, I provide comprehensive medical care, support, and treatment to individuals dealing with various mental health challenges,” he said.
“I play a pivotal role in both the initial stages and ongoing support of these patients. Conducting assessments and providing care to new patients allows me to contribute to their treatment plans from the outset.” Tomos’ responsibilities encompass diagnosis, treatment planning, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the wellbeing of the patients under the unit’s care. “Simultaneously, my work extends to offering vital support to patients already on the ward, ensuring continuity with their mental health care within the inpatient setting.” On Christmas Day this year, Tomos will provide vital medical care and support to patients.
He added: “Whether it's conducting assessments for new cases or offering ongoing assistance to those on the ward, my focus remains on ensuring the wellbeing of individuals navigating mental health challenges.
“The Christmas period brings added considerations for patients dealing with mental health challenges during this time. Fostering a supportive environment for patients during this time is so important.”
He emphasised that making Christmas Day special for both colleagues and patients at Hafan y Coed is a “massive team effort” led by all of the staff.
“Staff and patients decorate the unit, organise special activities, and even arrange special Christmas treats,” he said. “Encouraging staff to share positive messages helps bring about a sense of community that will contribute to a really supportive environment.
“For our patients, we aim to incorporate therapeutic and enjoyable activities with a Christmas theme, ensuring that the festive period is a positive and memorable experience for everyone at the mental health unit.” Working at Christmas allows Tomos to make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of patients, particularly during a time that can be challenging for many.
“The opportunity to create a supportive atmosphere, along with the camaraderie among colleagues, adds a really rewarding aspect to my role. Knowing that I can contribute to making the Christmas season more positive for those in our care brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose to my work.” As Tomos is working nights directly into Christmas morning, he is treating myself to a nice sleep, first and foremost!
“It’ll be nice to wind down with family after that, especially with a late Christmas dinner. It’s the perfect way to transition from a busy shift by spending time with loved ones and relaxing.”