STAFF at the University Hospital of Llandough will be hoping to keep festive spirits high for those unwell and in hospital over the Christmas period.

While most people enjoy sharing presents with family and friends and tucking into Christmas dinner staff in hospitals across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and in the community ,will be reporting for duty and be on hand to help.

Helen Palmer, a staff nurse in the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre at University Hospital of Llandough, has worked on Christmas Day for the last seven years.

“It is usually really nice as everyone is in good spirits,” she said.

“It’s not nice for the patients who are in but they do seem to enjoy the day.

“Some of the patients leave for the day, those that don’t we try to get in the day room so they can have Christmas dinner together. Anyone who can’t make it to the day room one of the staff will sit with them during their dinner – we make sure nobody is alone.”

Helen, whose mum is also a nurse, said she didn’t mind giving up her Christmas morning and would be celebrating with her family when she finished her shift.

“The worst thing about it is I do feel sorry for the patients that don’t have relatives coming into see them. But the best thing is that it’s quite a nice day – everyone is in a good mood and in high spirits.”

But it’s not just doctors and nurses giving up their Christmas to keep the health service running. Cleaning and catering staff will be helping to make sure those vital services keep running and porters will be offering a helping hand to those being treated and visiting hospitals with laboratory staff providing diagnostic support.

Staff will also be out and about in the community, calling into people’s homes to make sure they are keeping well.

Adam Cairns, the UHB’s chief executive, thanked all staff for their efforts over the Christmas period and throughout the year and wished them and the public a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

“As we enter the festive period you might have heard that we are encouraging patients, visitors and staff to contribute to a goodwill campaign we are running aimed at capturing the small or big things that we do to help those around us," he said.

“We know that even a small gesture, saying hello, putting your head round a neighbour’s door, stopping to help someone who looks lost, can make a huge difference – and if we all do a little bit then we make the world around us a slightly better place.

“Why not share what you do, however small, by tweeting using the #cavdonegood hashtag or you can visit our Facebook page or email them to me.

“Whatever you decide to do, please have a safe and very happy festive time, and please also accept my best wishes for the New Year.”