Meet some of the Betsi Cadwaladr staff who worked on Christmas Day

On the big day, which this year fell on Sunday, December 25, thousands of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) staff members continued to work. 

They have spent the festive season with their colleagues looking after patients and those in need of urgent care. 

Here’s just some of those members of staff from various hospitals across North Wales who have been caring for others and supporting the NHS on Christmas Day ...

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Paul Owens, a porter at Chirk Community Hospital, has been working his usual shift of 7am-3pm on Christmas Day but he has also spent time surprising patients with a special visit from Santa. 

Paul, who has worked at the hospital for over five years, donned a red suit on the day giving out gifts, which he’s done several times over the last few years for the hospital.

PIC: Paul Owens of Chirk Community Hospital.

He said: “Christmas is such a special day in the hospital, it totally feels different, everyone mucks in and gets on with their jobs whilst wearing Christmas hats and in festive spirit, it’s a good atmosphere. 

“The patients always enjoy seeing Santa and we give out presents and chat with all our patients.” 

“On Christmas morning I’ll be doing my normal routine of getting up at 4.30am to get to work for 6.30am, and I’ll get on with my duties as I always do.  

“The hospital does put on a special lunch, but I’ll wait until I get home and have Christmas dinner with my wife, and we’ll open presents together if Santa has been to my house.” 

In the run up to Christmas Chirk Community Hospital has held various special events for patients and staff including carol singing, a nutcracker ballerina performance and they’ve created a Santa’s Grotto. 

Three Health Care Assistants have been working on Christmas Day in Holywell Community Hospital.  

PIC: Tim Dykins, a health care assistant at Holywell Community Hospital.

Tim Dykins worked the early shift 7.30am-2pm and that was his first Christmas Day working for the NHS since the 1990's.

Tim waited to have his Christmas dinner and open his presents with his wife till the afternoon, and then spent time with his children and grandchildren on Boxing Day.

He said: “The patients had a special lunch and we’ve had festive treats for them to give out. Leading up to Christmas Day we’ve had special visits from the Good Companions who have given out presents too."

Hannah Ashmore and Lauren Smith were working the late shift at Holywell Community Hospital (1.30pm-8pm).

Hannah said: “I’m happy to working Christmas Day, it’s not like a normal shift, everyone is quite mellow but it’s really busy with lots of visitors for the patients. It’s lovely to see the patients with their families, and everyone’s always so happy. 

PIC: Hannah Ashmore and Lauren Smith.

“I have Christmas eve off and Boxing Day which I’ve asked for, because all my family come together on Boxing Day and spend it together.” 

Hannah spent the morning with her husband and made Christmas dinner, though she wasn't eating it as she instead dropped it off at her sister’s house a few doors away.

Hannah didn't have her Christmas dinner until 8.30pm, which her husband made ready for when she got home.  

Lauren spent the morning with her partner, and children Oakley 10, and Amelia who will turn six years old on New Year’s Eve.  

Ahead of working, Lauren said: “It’s my first time Christmas Day, so I’m not sure what to expect really, but be nice to see the patients with their families, and being with them. I am looking forward to it as I don’t have grandparents so it’s nice to help look after the patients and spend the day with them.

“For me I’m not a big lover of the dinner so I said I’ll work the late shift. We’re going to bring a few bits into work and have a bit of a buffet and have snacky bits to eat throughout the day, and then I’ll go visit my in-laws after work and maybe have a plate there.” 

Lauren Davies, a Health Care Support Worker, from Mold Community Hospital, has been working her third Christmas shift and looking forward to helping make the day extra special for patients and staff. 

PIC: Lauren Davies is no stranger to working the Christmas Day shift!

Lauren said: “I’m starting at 7.30am so I’ll be going straight into work and doing my usual jobs when I get in. I’ll hopefully helping make the day room Christmassy for the patients to go in and sit with each other, and we’ll be serving a nice turkey dinner for them, and they’ll have a buffet later on in the day.  

“I’m going to wait to eat my Christmas dinner with my partner after I get home, as I’ll be finishing 2pm. Our activities coordinator Diane has been great too she’s decorated around the hospital where we can, and made bauble and cracker activities for the patients.  

“I don’t mind working Christmas Day as it’s lovely to see the patients with their families, and we also try to help get some patients who can leave for a few days to go be with their families at home. It’s also nice to spend time with patients who don’t have family and who would have been on their own if they weren’t in the hospital with us.”