The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity is raising money to help bring Christmas to over one million patients and staff who will be at hospital over the festive period. From elderly care patients with few or no family members, to children receiving radiotherapy, a gruelling course of treatments five days a week for six weeks, over one thousand patients will face the prospect of spending Christmas Day in the QE.
With the support of Brummies, the QEHB Charity is raising money to make this Christmas extra special, by ‘decking the wards with boughs of holly’ and bringing Christmas cheer to patients and their families. £25 will buy a Christmas tree and decorations, £10 could help deliver Christmas gifts to young patients including children and teenagers with cancer, £5 will pay for a TV Card for a patient to watch Christmas films and the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day and £2 could go towards a special Christmas hamper for staff and patients to share on Christmas Day.
QEHB Charity caught up with staff at the hospital, many of whom have spent several Christmases at the QE, to hear their thoughts about the campaign.
Joanne Bubb
Senior HCA Dignity in Care Team and Acting Activities Coordinator
“I think QEHB Charity’s Christmas Campaign is a must! I adore Christmas - it brings back so many childhood memories and all patients have a memory of a special Christmas they can recall and talk about with staff. Staff and patient morale is boosted when they see trees and decorations on the wards, it becomes like a home from home. For patients who don’t have family they can feel part of something and join in with the festive spirit.”
Nicole Toghill
Epilepsy Specialist Nurse
“From an outpatient’s perspective, it can be really stressful coming to the hospital over the Christmas period. Anything you can do to help alleviate that, to try and make the experience a joyful time, is great for patients.”
Laura Beacham
Teenage and Young Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
“No one wants to be in hospital at Christmas. Unfortunately, for many of the 16 to 24 year olds with cancer being cared for on the Teenage Cancer Trust Young Persons Unit, treatment can’t be stopped and they are in hospital for some if not all of the festive period. With the help of QEHB Charity, the Teenage and Young Adult Service team are able to decorate the unit and give presents. Being able to provide opportunities through activities and Christmas distractions means so much to the team, but more importantly the patients and their loved ones get to forget about their cancer and its treatment for a while and just enjoy Christmas.”
Mrs Rachel Beard
Ward Administrator, Wards 513 and 515
“I think Christmas time is such a special period on the wards. It can’t be easy for patients or staff having to be in hospital during such a family orientated period. Receiving a hamper would be a very nice gesture and further boost the morale of both patients and staff.”
