NHS staff deliver festive magic to patients’ bedsides

Christmas elves are spreading cheer across Guy’s and St Thomas’ by delivering gifts, meals and carol concerts to patients in hospital over the festive period.

With the support of the Trust’s charities, staff are bringing seasonal wishes to the wards at Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London, Royal Brompton, and Harefield hospitals with carol services and festive celebrations.

Staff will be delivering up to 2,300 presents to patients across the Trust. On Christmas day, patients in hospital will receive a gift, alongside a special Christmas lunch. Spreading the joy beyond the hospital, any patients who receive a community visit in Lambeth and Southwark on 25 December will also be given a present.

The Trust will be running initiatives to support our NHS staff working tirelessly in the run up to Christmas. Festive treats will be delivered to wards and on Christmas Day staff will receive free meals.

Staff are also invited to join colleagues for festive wellbeing walks to help lift spirits. These walks are part of the ‘Showing we care about you’ programme at the Trust, one of the most comprehensive health and wellbeing programmes in the NHS, supported by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity.

The Trust’s 5 hospitals have been transformed into a magical wonderland. 17 twinkling trees have sprouted up around the hospitals. Also on display around the Trust are baubles with thank you messages from patients and families, who have taken the opportunity to give back and show appreciation for their care.

These gifts, treats and trees have been made possible thanks to the generous support from Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, Evelina London Children’s Charity, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, Brompton Fountain and the Friends of Guy's and St Thomas'.

Teams are going above and beyond to make Christmas a truly wonderful time of the year for their young patients at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and in community services. Throughout December, patients can visit ‘virtual’ Santa in a grotto in the specialist children’s hospital. The team are also co-ordinating present and book donations with thanks to generous supporters. Some patient families were even invited to enjoy ‘Winter Wishes’ in November, an inclusive event at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, and to go on a boat ride with Santa, thanks to support from Evelina London Children’s Charity.

Preparation for Christmas lunch across the Trust is no small feat and officially began in October. Across the holiday period, including Christmas Day, the catering teams will have prepared over 3,500 festive meals for NHS teams and patients to tuck into.

In addition to the traditional favourites, including over 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.

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