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Four-legged friends join health and care staff for festive carols

Wednesday, 23 December 2020

DHSC staff with Christmas dressed ponies

Staff from across the Department of Health and Social Care, Hospital and Community Services formed a united choir to sing Christmas carols at Noble’s Hospital this week, establishing what may be a popular new tradition. 

Carollers sang to a packed atrium while just outside, five Shetland ponies and their handlers - dressed as elves along with three wise men - greeted patients, friends and their families.

In the past, volunteer groups have brought Christmas cheer to those in hospital over the festive season, singing to patients in the wards, but that hasn’t been possible this year due to current infection prevention measures in place across the hospital site to guard against coronavirus.

Step forward DHSC staff with a simple creative solution. Around 30 staff members from hospital and community services volunteered for the choir, organising a rapid series of rehearsals and a musical programme under the baton of Cathy Quayle, a retired member of staff.

As carols resounded in the atrium, Shetland Ponies Peppa Pig, George Pig, Frodo, Apache and Angus McSnugglebum dressed for the occasion and were brought to the courtyard of the hospital by owner Lynda Christian – a surprise which proved hugely popular with patients, children and their families.

Angela Murray, Chief Operating Officer, DHSC said:

‘I am grateful to all of the staff who volunteered to help celebrate the season. Without Christmas decorations and a visiting choir as in past years, it has been challenging to create a festive environment so it was wonderful to be able to provide this experience for our patients and their families in the midst of a difficult year. It was a great piece of teamwork by the staff across DHSC.’

She added:

‘The Emergency Department couldn’t get out to watch the choir or see the ponies so the scene was brought to them so they didn’t miss out. All who experienced this genuinely heart-warming and unique event commented how they enjoyed it.’

Current pandemic restrictions mean the hospital has not been decorated as it usually would be, and this year the popular Best Decorated Christmas Tree competition posed staff the challenge of being creative on the theme of Infection Prevention and Control - giving ample opportunity to decorate with humour whilst entering the spirit of Christmas and designing trees staff, patients and their families can enjoy.

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