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, 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 this year, and asked them how they will make the day extra special.
Danielle Haysham and Mandy Williams
Danielle (right) is Deputy Team Leader for the Vale Safe@Home team, a hospital avoidance service which supports patients to stay well in their own homes.
With assistance from GPs, the team helps both acutely unwell patients and those who are living with increased frailty.
This December 25, Danielle and her colleague Mandy Williams (left), a Clinical Nurse Specialist, will be visiting patients in their Christmas jumpers to bring a bit of festive fun to the day.
“It's only a small effort but it does bring a lot of joy to our patients,” said Danielle. “A lot of our patients won’t see anyone at Christmas time, so supporting them will be a privilege. No-one should be alone for Christmas.”
After her shift, Danielle will be spending the rest of the day with her three children, while Mandy is looking forward to watching the last ever Gavin and Stacey episode with some festive treats.
Deepa Joseph
Deepa has a dual role as a Cardiothoracic Research Nurse and Cardiothoracic ITU Nurse. This Christmas Day she will be working in Cardiothoracic ITU supporting patients who have undergone open heart surgery.
“Unfortunately, patients who had open heart surgery will not be able to join their family for Christmas and will need to remain in hospital,” she said.
“Hospital is the last place anyone wants to be, especially on a day that’s important to them, like Christmas Day. I strongly believe working on days like this reminds me of how special it is to be a nurse. I will try to create a festive feel in the unit.”
Deepa said she loves working on Christmas Day. “I am a Christ believer. Christ is the reason for this season. I would like to demonstrate the love and care towards my patients, keeping Jesus Christ as my role model,” she added.
However, when she arrives home from her shift, it’s family time. “I have already created a festive feel at home with our decorations, lights and a Christmas tree. I will spend Christmas Eve with my family, and then after work, the rest of my time is for my loved ones.
“The kids will wait for me to unwrap the gifts. We’ll also have a Christmas supper together. That’s how I balance my work and family.”
Charlotte Locking
Charlotte is a Mental Health Nurse and works as part of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Crisis Team.
“Our role is to provide support to young people experiencing mental health crisis,” she said. “Our service is primarily based at St David’s Hospital, though we can usually be found at patients’ houses, in paediatric or mental health wards and particularly in the emergency unit.”
This year, Charlotte is working a Christmas Day shift to let her colleagues enjoy the day with their families. “They’ve helped me with a lot during my time with the team,” she added.
“I'll usually be found on Christmas Day wearing some questionable Christmas earrings or jumpers with a pair of crocs.”
Following her shift, Charlotte will be heading home to tuck into a box of Celebrations and watch festive TV.
Ian James and Dawn Evans
Healthcare Support Workers Ian and Dawn, based on A5N Spinal Unit at the University Hospital of Wales, are described as “valued members of their team” who always go the extra mile for patients, including cutting hair, shaving or even just stopping for a chat.
“Our patients often have life-changing injuries, and we try to help them meet their needs while keeping spirits up,” they said.
On Christmas Day, the pair will be working a 12-hour shift with their colleagues to ensure patients are having a good day.
“We leave patients a special Christmas gift so they can wake up with something to unwrap, knowing someone is thinking of them,” they added. “We like to bring festive cheer to all on the ward. We like to dress up, sing and ensure no-one is alone.”
“The team always has a great day together while trying to make it better for those in hospital. If it makes one patient's stay in hospital at Christmas a bit easier, it will be worth it.”
Ian and Dawn will be celebrating after work with their family and friends – and will enjoy a well-deserved drink.
Donna Prosser
As a Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker at the University Hospital of Wales’ Emergency Unit, Donna specialises in minor injuries, resus, taking bloods and doing ECGs. She also works at the Alcohol Treatment Centre on weekends alongside paramedics, the police and EMP medical staff.
On Christmas Day, she will be working in the emergency unit from 7am to 7.30pm.
“We try and keep an upbeat approach towards patients and colleagues in their time of need, depending on the situation,” she said. “In the department we work as a team and support each other emotionally as much as we can in such a high-pressured role. Sometimes colleagues themselves may be going through a tough time, be it at home or work.”
For patients, Donna said they “always go that extra mile”. She added: “Being kind to each other gets us through challenging shifts. Sometimes colleagues will bring in homemade cakes for us to try. We try and have a laugh and a joke depending on how the shift is going - sometimes listening is just enough.”
This December 25, Donna said she will be working alongside a colleague who lost their father 12 months ago. “My colleague is down to work this year which will be their first Christmas without him, so it will be tough. Christmas can be the hardest time of year for a lot of families who have lost loved ones, or who have family in hospital. It’s nice to be able to give something back to those who are alone at Christmas, or who are struggling mentally.”
After her shift, Donna will head home to have a glass of ‘bubbly’ with her partner and reply to messages from family and friends. She will celebrate Christmas properly on December 27 after her Boxing Day shift.
Andy Eglinton
Andy Eglinton is a Senior Physiotherapist working as one of the Major Trauma Practitioners at the University Hospital of Wales, covering both paediatric and adult patients.
“We have an office on the A4 corridor, just outside the Polytrauma Unit, but I review major trauma patients on any ward within the hospital,” he said. “This would mostly include attending trauma calls in Resus as well as reviewing patients on Intensive Care, Trauma and Neurosurgical Wards and General Surgical Wards.
“We act as key workers for all major trauma patients within the health board, ensuring patients receive reviews by different specialities in a timely manner. We also play a role in coordinating the repatriation of patients back to their local health board, as we serve patients from across the whole of South Wales and South Powys as the Major Trauma Centre.”
For Andy, Christmas Day largely depends on what type of patients are admitted through the Emergency Unit. “Hopefully anyone requiring repatriation will already have plans in place prior to Christmas Day,” he added.
“I’d like to think I’ll play a small role in putting patients at ease, if they are unfortunately admitted to UHW as a major trauma patient over the Christmas period. I will be able to explain to them their injuries, management plans, and potential discharge plans and timescales for them to set realistic expectations with their families.”
Andy added that this will be his first time working Christmas Day in his current role. “I have previously worked on Christmas Days in my previous roles, and all staff have a very joyous outlook, which is nice to be surrounded by and feel part of. I hope the Christmas roast dinner being provided is up to scratch!”
Following his shift, Andy will go home to his wife, children and extended family to open some presents, eat, drink and “generally be merry”.
Helen Newsome
Helen works as a Paediatric Emergency Medicine Consultant based in the Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales.
The team are available 24-7 every day of the year providing care for children and young people who need emergency care.
“We treat everything from bumps and broken bones to caring for children who are critically unwell, and we support their families too,” she added.
For Helen, it's business as usual in the emergency unit on Christmas Day. “You never know what will come through the door,” she admitted. “The team will be seeing and treating children and young people and trying to bring a bit of Christmas cheer along the way.”
Helen said she aims to bring a bit of “Christmas magic” to her young patients this year. “We decorate the department with lots of sparkle, and we all wear something festive - this year I'll be wearing my Christmas bow tie covered in Christmassy badgers - always a favourite with the kids!
“We have some presents which have been donated which we can give to children too. It'll be a busy day for us in A&E, so to bring some Christmas joy to the team my partner drops off a load of homemade breakfast baps and fresh coffee mid-morning to keep us all going. There are always plenty of snacks too, and one of my fab colleagues is even bringing in some of his famous homemade pâté to share! Yum!”
Helen admitted that she’ll probably be tired after her shift, so is excited for a cosy evening at home by the fire.