Celebrating the nurses and midwives that bring the magic to Christmas

While many are winding down for the holidays, enjoying some mince pies and social gatherings, nurses and midwives remain as busy as ever. That’s because health problems don’t take a break for the festivities and babies must still make their way into the world, and these incredible professionals are there for us all year round.

Nurses and midwives know that being in hospital is the last place people want to be at Christmas time, so they find a way to bring the magic. With decorations, Santa hats, music, and a smile, they keep patient’s spirits up and embrace the true meaning of Christmas by caring for others.

This year, Cavell is celebrating the nursing and midwifery staff that work through the holidays by sharing their stories and asking the public to leave their message of appreciation and a small donation here.

All you need to do is select a present or decoration for the Cavell Christmas tree, write your message for staff and special reason for giving thanks, and leave a donation amount of your choice. This will not only help nurses and midwives going through tough times, but also give them the appreciation they deserve by lighting up the Christmas tree with all your wonderful messages.

What’s it like to work a Christmas shift?

We asked Cavell’s nursing and midwifery friends to share their experiences from Decembers gone by to shine a light on the staff making this time of year special for patients.

Gracie, Midwife

Last year, Gracie worked on Christmas day at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and cared for one of the babies that was born on the 25th of December.

She said, “I was lucky enough to support a family to give birth to their son on Christmas morning last year. It felt really special when I was at home celebrating with my own family on Christmas evening that I has been a part of watching a new family be created that day.”

On average, around 1,400 babies are born on December 25th in the UK, making it one of the least popular days to give birth, according to the Office for National Statistics.

 

Lynn, Midwife

Lynn recalled a shift from 1991, and said, “My son had just turned one. I was a midwife working on Christmas Day. My husband (a police officer) was off duty, so he brought my son to see me and Father Christmas. One of the consultants used to dress up and tour the wards with a midwife dressed as Mother Christmas, handing out gifts to the moms and moms-to-be. We decorated the wards, and everyone was given a Christmas dinner, including the staff.”

She continued, “I remember wearing tights with holly leaves one year (not sure they adhered to the uniform policy), and we tried to make Christmas as much fun as possible for the women who were in over the festive period. Although it was hard being away from family, it was lovely if you were fortunate enough to deliver a baby on the 25th. I was invited to the Mayor’s Chamber one year to thank me for delivering a baby on Christmas Day.”

Debbie, Nurse

Debbie reflected on her ability as a nurse to bring the festive cheer to work to help lift her patient’s spirits:

“It’s a given that as a nurse you will work over the festive season at some point, and that’s ok. Plans can be adapted with your families to still make it special. What’s important is trying to make it special for our patients who often spend a lot of it alone and isolated. We like to make our patients smile daily anyway, but at Christmas I personally like to have a bit more fun, whether that be wearing a Christmas hat, a bit of tinsel around my neck, or a flashing reindeer badge. Anything to bring a bit of festive cheer to my patients. Seeing that make their day, will also make mine.”

 

Sarah, Midwife

Working as the Lead Midwife for Clinical Pastoral Support & Midwifery Ambassador for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Sarah has spent a couple of Christmases supporting parents on their journey to meeting their baby and knows it is a privilege.

She said, “Whilst working at Christmas time can be difficult as you’re not with your own family- caring for other families, and being a part of their special time in their lives is a pleasure! It is an incredibly special time and full of such joy for so many families – and welcoming Christmas babies is always an extra special honour and a privilege.”

Give thanks to nursing and midwifery staff this Christmas

When you leave a message and donation on Cavell’s Christmas tree here, you will be helping thousands of nurses and midwives facing personal hardship and facing challenges like homelessness, domestic abuse, long-term illness and disability, and more.

Your donation helps nurses like Donna, who had nowhere to live with her 9-year-old son after her partner died suddenly of cancer and her house was no longer her own. After receiving a grant from Cavell to help put down a rental deposit, Donna said, “We narrowly missed being homeless and I believe without Cavell’s help, we would have been… Our home means so much to us; it’s a place where we feel safe and secure and can deal with our emotions and grief.”

This year, nurses and midwives across the UK will be putting on their Santa hats and a big smile for their patients, despite being away from their own family, and despite the personal challenges they may be facing. You can give thanks and make a difference by donating to the Cavell Christmas tree today:

Click here.