Festive fun for patients and staff at West Mid and Chelsea and Westminster hospitals

This year the annual Christmas event took place at both Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex University hospitals.

West Middlesex kicked off the festivities on Wednesday 16 December and was transformed into a winter wonderland as staff and volunteers came together to showcase the hospital’s broad range of services in a fun and festive way.

With a variety of stalls from different hospital departments including maternity, paediatrics and A&E, live music and the chance to meet Santa in his grotto, Christmas at West Mid was an enjoyable afternoon for staff and visitors alike.

The event was opened by Ross Leadbeater and Natalie Coyle, a piano and soprano duet, who performed a 45-minute set of Christmas songs and show tunes to warm up the crowd. The Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Nisar Milak also came along.

One of the most popular areas for families was undoubtedly Santa’s grotto. Built by Bouygues, the hospital’s estates and facilities partner organisation, this included the chance to write a letter to Santa, meet the man in red himself and walk through the winter wonderland.

The Christmas at Chelsea and Westminster event, which took place the following day was also a great success.

There were a number of stands, including those on Healthwatch and the hospital’s A&E redevelopment. Santa’s Grotto, run by the Council of Governors proved a hit with young and old alike, while the hilarious Giggle Doctors were on hand to entertain.  There was also nail painting and face painting from Kiddie Caru day nurseries.

The staff Cheer Award ceremony was held just before the event kicked off. Twenty members of staff – out of 250 people who had been nominated by their colleagues – won a Cheer Award presented by Chief Executive, Lesley Watts and Hilary O’Neill, a committee member of the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital who kindly sponsored the awards.

Lesley said: “Both of these events were fantastic, providing an opportunity for local people to get to know their hospital a bit better. The cheer awards also saw staff at both hospitals receive recognition for their hard work throughout the year.”

The Chelsea Pensioners then joined in the festivities to officially open the event, followed by music from Trio Manouche and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital favourites, Dick Laurie’s Elastic Band. A special thank you goes to our Council of Governors for supporting the Christmas events at both hospitals.