While Christmas Day is a chance for most to spend time with loved ones and take a much-needed break, many staff at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) were working. Although they couldn’t celebrate at home, staff and volunteers were determined to spread some festive cheer as they continued caring for patients.
Working in the NHS on Christmas Day is a unique experience, and teams at the Trust are sharing their motivations for spending the festive period caring for others, and how they shared the Christmas spirit with patients.
Joanne Curtis
Accidents and emergencies can happen anytime, and December 25th is no different. Joanne Curtis, a sister in the emergency department (ED), worked her first Christmas Day shift, having worked Boxing Day and New Year shifts in previous years.
Joanne’s Christmas Day plans usually involve spending quality time with her family. She said: “Nobody wants to be in hospital on Christmas Day, but accidents and emergencies still happen, people still become ill, and they need to be taken care of. It’s what we’re trained for and it’s why we do the job - because we naturally want to help others less fortunate than ourselves. If I made one person’s Christmas Day a little less painful this year, then I’ll have made a difference, and that’s all that matters.”
Receiving care in the ED can be a stressful experience, especially over Christmas with many finding the season difficult. Joanne said: “It’s not just about emergency medical treatment, it’s about comforting and supporting people during their worst moments - going the extra mile and showing patients we care. Christmas time can be tough for lots of people, so we do everything we can to make their experience a little easier. There were even some festive accessories on show!”
Talking about working over Christmas, Joanne said: “Working in the emergency department is challenging every day. Many staff may have stresses and worries of their own, but we hold our heads high and focus on the jobs we have chosen to do.
“We understand the importance of being there for our patients in their time of need, over Christmas we are working hard to ensure that you’re provided with the same care and support you would expect from us every day, even if it means missing out on time with our loved ones.”
Baz and Bridget Goldstone
Did you know some of our wonderful volunteers generously give up their time to make the day a little bit easier for staff and patients?
Two of these incredible volunteers are Baz and Bridget Goldstone, who have given a combined total of more than five years of service to WSFT. Baz is an emergency department volunteer, and Bridget volunteers on Ward F3 as a patient companion.
The couple described their typical Christmas as ‘just another day’, although they do have a tradition of going running in Santa hats – no matter the weather.
Bridget has been in hospital over Christmas and knows firsthand how patients feel. She said: “I don’t think there’s a greater gift than being able to give time to people. I’ve had a kidney transplant, and I spent two Christmas Days in hospital during my life.
“How lovely to be able to make a difference to someone’s day by spending time with them, listening, chatting, and making them feel special. I hate to think of the elderly being alone and confused at Christmas. Giving time is my way of saying a huge thank you to the NHS for giving me a second chance at life.”
Baz also shared a festive message to WSFT staff: “I want to wish all staff in every area of the hospital the very best at this time of year. Thank you for being there, and for all the care you give.”
Charlotte Hasnip
Senior midwife Charlotte Hasnip is no stranger to working on Christmas Day, having been at the Trust for almost 14 years. She said: “Christmas is all about family and being together and what could be more perfect than witnessing a family having their baby over the Christmas period?”
The maternity team made Christmas a little more magical for patients by giving the babies a gift, along with a knitted hat to wear on Christmas Day. The My WiSH Charity, which supports WSFT, has donated items for the team to make unique bauble keepsakes for every baby born this December.
Charlotte said: “We always try to ensure our women and their babies have a really special Christmas, the atmosphere is always jolly, people are generally in good spirits and eager to have their babies and get home to their families to celebrate.”
Cybèle de Jong
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in the Trust with more experience of working over Christmas than stroke unit nursing assistant Cybèle de Jong, who worked her eighth consecutive Christmas Day shift at the West Suffolk Hospital this year.
Working eight Christmas Days in a row might seem unthinkable to some, but for Cybèle, it’s worth it to support her colleagues. She explained: “Before I joined the Trust, the company I worked for closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so for 23 years I had those days off, including when my children were small. When I started working in healthcare, I felt it was my turn to give up some of my time. I have lots of colleagues with young children, and I hoped that by offering to work Christmas Day, someone could stay at home with their little one.”
Cybele continued: “The atmosphere is different at the hospital; it feels lighter somehow. Everyone seems more cheerful, and the daily routine is a bit different too. The patients have a proper Christmas lunch, and the staff have a Christmas meal offered by the hospital too. Although sadly, you don't usually have long to eat it!”
Sam and Chris Lee-McCloud, with Chance the therapy dog
Chance the therapy dog is a familiar face around West Suffolk Hospital, and staff, patients, and visitors will recognise him as a regular visitor who brings joy to people all year round.
This year, Chance’s owners - Sam and Chris Lee-McCloud - brought Chance to the hospital on Christmas Day for the first time.
Sam and Chris said: “Seeing the joy on everyone’s faces when they see Chance walk up to them is why we wanted to come and help. It’s not an ideal place to be and anything we can do to help make that experience better is important.
“We dressed up - including Chance - and gave out trading cards and colouring sheets for kids, and stickers of Chance where appropriate. Chance will get up on a chair next to patients, or occasionally on the beds when he’s allowed to, and gives lots of smiles, cuddles, and high fives.”
Stephanie Swaep
Staff in many different roles give up their Christmas Day to keep the hospitals and community care running smoothly. Pharmacy technician Stephanie Swaep, who has worked at the Trust for 23 years, is one of them.
Stephanie explained: “Pharmacy is a 24/7 service. Whether that service is having staff in the department dispensing medications for patients on the wards, in clinics, or patients requiring medications through A&E or an on-call pharmacist. Pharmacy help is always available.
“Some patients are too unwell to be spending the day at home with their loved ones, and if that was a loved one of mine, I would hope others would also want to provide the very best care.
“Knowing that us being at work on Christmas Day could potentially facilitate a discharge so a patient can get home makes working Christmas Day worthwhile.”