Spending Christmas at the Children's Hospital for Wales

Christmas is a time when we think of certain things. Santa. Presents. A turkey. But most of all, Christmas is a time for family togetherness, fun and laughter. 

But for children staying in hospital over the festive season, Christmas can be just another day. Surgery still takes place. Medicine needs to be given. Sick children don’t get better just because it’s Christmas, and nurses and doctors don’t stop caring for them, either. 

However, it isn’t all sadness. Most of the patients in the Children’s Hospital for Wales are well enough to go home for Christmas day itself, and enjoy spending time with their loved ones. For the children that are just too sick, the dedicated hospital staff do what they can to turn the wards into a winter wonderland, for twenty-four hours. 

Avril Gowman and Kim Reid are ward managers in the children’s hospital, and have both worked in the hospital over the Christmas period. They were kind enough to share some of their experiences of Christmas at the Children’s Hospital for Wales. 

Avril says, “The staff do their best to make the day comfortable, memorable and fun. One of the nurses has been Santa for four years running and she really enjoys herself.” 

Kim adds; “The staff do work very hard. Christmas is just another day for the children who have to be kept in, but we try to make it special. We put Christmas dinner on for those who are well enough to eat it, and the parents can have a special meal in the canteen.” 

Christmas day is just one day of course, but it always lasts longer; the shopping, the run-up, the cooking, the tree. And the hospital is no different. The Christmas tree is put at the very beginning of December, along with shiny decorations. 

Presents also begin arriving, gifts from local companies and supporters of the hospital. These are given out by Santa on Christmas Eve, both to children to go home for the day, and for the patients who stay. These normal Christmas traditions: decorations, tree, presents, help poorly children feel that little bit more relaxed and at home, as much as is possible, at this time of year. 

For those who can’t go home, Kim and Avril tell us, it can be a very emotional time. Sometimes a patient might seem well enough to be allowed home, only to end up taking a turn for the worse on Christmas Eve. This can be heart wrenching for parents who want to spend a normal day with their child, at home with loved ones.