20 December 2011

Staff at The Royal London always do their very best to make Christmas an extra special time for their young patients and this year is no different, with a panto, a party and a special visit from Santa.

At their annual Christmas party, magician Andy Clockhouse conjured up a series of magic tricks, watched by spellbound youngsters.

Hospital play specialist Catrina Fleming explained the importance of making sure children don’t miss out on the festive spirit.

She said:   “Parties and special events mean a bit of normality for kids, especially for the ones who have been with us since they were babies.  

“There are also the youngsters with complicated conditions who need to stay in hospital throughout the Christmas period.  They miss out on an awful lot and this is our way of trying to make things as happy as possible for them.

“The kids love this time of year and they are really appreciative of the fact that someone has come to visit them especially.

As well as today’s party, children have a special visit to look forward to when Santa drops in later in the week.

Around half of The Royal London’s 85 paediatric patients will be allowed home for Christmas, even if it is just for the day.

The children’s charity, Starlight, an all-year round supporter of the children’s hospital, paid for the party and also donated arts and crafts sets and toys to the children’s wards.

Last week the London Rotary District Governor, Trevor Johnson and Rotarians from Tower Hamlets Rotary also made their annual visit to the children's ward and donated over 70 Christmas presents.

Paediatric Clinical Director, Dr Siobhan Carr said:  “We provide a full service throughout Christmas, but try to make it possible for as many of our children as possible to go home even if it is just for a few hours.

“Many of our patients have long-term conditions, such as gastric or breathing problems, so have only known the hospital environment, which is why events like today’s party are so important.”

Mum, Jane Fitzgerald, from Hackney, whose son Art, 5, has been in hospital for three months with a long-term gastric condition said:   “All of the activities the hospital has put on are great – it gives Art such a lift and takes his mind off being sick.  He’s so used to having to deal with the negative part of being in hospital that to experience something really nice like today’s party is a massive boost to him and all the other kids.”
    
ENDS

Notes to Editors:

•    With 130 beds for children - including premature baby cots - and London’s biggest paediatric Accident & Emergency department, we are one of the leading children’s hospitals in the UK.
•    We care for more than 40,000 children and young people each year from London, Essex and across the UK and Europe. Wherever you live, our aim is to provide the best possible clinical and personal care.
•    In February we will be moving into our brand new Children’s Hospital with state-of-the art facilities, spacious indoor and outdoor play areas, and 40% of rooms single-occupancy.