Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
If the kids are too ill to be with their families being here is next best thing
on Christmas Day, so I’ll be getting as much sleep as I can in the morning. And I still get to have Christmas dinner with my family, which is good as that’s the best bit. It can be hard being away from family but they understand and it’s all part of the job.”
She says: “This year, my Christmas Day shift starts at 7.30am so I hope to see presents being opened.
“This will be my first Christmas in Edinburgh, the first time I’ve worked on Christmas Day and my first Christmas away from my family, so it will feel strange. “I’ve been at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children for eight months and before that I worked at a children’s hospital in Cardiff, where my family live. “In Cardiff, I did a Christmas Eve night shift, when there was a really nice atmosphere. I’m looking forward to seeing my family in Cardiff on Boxing Day.”
She says: “The atmosphere on the ward is cheery and festive. The children get presents from their families and staff dress up. The first year I qualified I found it hard to be away from my family but it helps that Fox Ward is such a close team. We get amazing support from the public through GOSH Charity’s Stocking Appeal.
“It’s special to know people are making donations to support the children, some of whom are a long way from home here.”
ON MAKING DAY SPECIAL
She says: “This is my first Christmas as a qualified nurse at GOSH and I’m looking forward to it. As a student, you tend to work shifts before and after Christmas Day so you never get to be with the children when they open their presents. I’m really looking forward to seeing that side of it.
There will be presents from Santa and a special Christmas dinner.”
She says: “Children and families unfortunately sometimes find themselves on the children’s unit on Christmas day.
“This can become a lifelong memory for parents and the children if they are old enough to remember the experience. We strive to make their memories as good as can be, given the circumstances.
“Of course, we ourselves are also away from our families and loved ones, so it is even more important to make the day as special as we can.”
Her colleague, sister Victoria Ketland, is on duty this Christmas and adds: “There is a great sense of family between the staff on Christmas day. We become each other’s family, including the children and their loved ones. We play music, wear tinsel in our hair and keep smiling. The kids wake to the magic of Santa knowing where they are and leaving them a gift.
“When dinner is served, staff will also have Christmas food together. We just try to keep the magic alive for everyone.”