Dr Ray Neathercott, Consultant Pediatrician
For those youngsters spending Christmas in hospital, staff like Consultant Paediatrician Dr Ray Nethercott try to make it as special as possible.
Across all departments, all of the staff make things as festive as they can – the wards are decorated, patients are treated to a Christmas dinner and staff dress up.
“Christmas can be a very mixed bag but for the most part it’s a joyful time to come into work. There’s always a really nice atmosphere around the hospital at this time of year. Working over the festive period is part and parcel of the job. We adjust to it and our families fully understand and support us – we make the best of it,” Dr Nethercott explained.
However, he says there are other occasions too when it can be a difficult time to care for those who absolutely have to be in hospital at this time of year.
“It’s a difficult time for them and we do our best to accommodate patients and try to get as many home as it’s possible to have at home. Unfortunately there will always be some who have to remain in our care over the festive period and we bring as much Christmas cheer to everyone as possible. “Some of the saddest things can happen at Christmas because the expectation is that it will be so good and sadly that’s not always the way life is. Neither young children nor their parents want to be in hospital over Christmas. Anyone who is well enough will be allowed home and our door is always open to those who need to come back to us.”
Santa Claus will still be dropping into SWAH on his busy rounds this Sunday night to deliver presents to those whose illnesses prevent them from being at home with loved ones this Christmas. Dr Nethercott stressed that children in the hospital’s paediatric ward will still be treated to a visit from the North Pole’s favourite resident.
“Santa will be showing up on Christmas Eve to check up on everyone before he gets on with his busy night. The children have no need to fear that he might miss them out if they’re in hospital because Santa will know exactly where to find them. He gives us a guarantee every year that he will drop into Enniskillen hospital. When you see the smiling faces of the young patients, it brings great joy and cheer – it makes it all worthwhile.”
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