Hospital patients to receive gifts on Christmas Day

More than 1,700 hospital patients will wake up to a present from Santa on Christmas morning, thanks to NHS Grampian Charity.

The charity, which is the official partner charity of NHS Grampian, has funded a small gift for each patient who is spending the festive period in one of the health board’s hospitals.

Lisa Duthie, charity lead, says, “Patients in hospitals across Grampian will be waking up on Christmas morning surrounded by health and care colleagues, instead of family and friends. Not everyone staying in hospital over Christmas will have loved ones who are able to visit them, so we want to make sure nobody misses out on having a gift to open on Christmas morning.

“We wouldn’t have been able to provide these gifts without the generous people who have donated throughout the year, and on behalf of everyone at NHS Grampian we want to thank them for their support.”

The health board does not book routine patient appointments on Christmas Day, but still delivers inpatient care to patients at its hospitals, including Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Dr Gray’s Hospital, Royal Cornhill Hospital, and many others.

Adam Coldwells, NHS Grampian interim chief executive, says, “We strive to get as many people home to their families as possible at Christmas, but there will always be patients who have to spend the festive period in hospital. This can be very difficult for the patients and for their families, and we are grateful to NHS Grampian Charity for helping to make Christmas Day that little bit brighter for them.

“I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff who have been buying and wrapping gifts, often in their own time, to ensure that the patients they are caring for have something to open on Christmas morning.”

Around 80 wards at 16 of NHS Grampian’s hospitals will be receiving gifts this year, including Wards 402/403 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Senior Charge Nurse Jodie Frater and patient Betty met with Lisa and Adam to get into the Christmas spirit. Jodie says, “We expect to have almost 30 patients spending Christmas with us in the ward, and it’s really lovely to know that they will each have something to open when they wake up on Christmas morning. The charity has funded gifts for many years, and we know the patients are always grateful to receive something.”

NHS Grampian Charity is the official charity of NHS Grampian. It is responsible for managing the generous donations made by supporters to ensure that they are used to provide benefits for staff and patients, to enhance services, and to provide support in communities across Grampian.