We’re bringing festive cheer to patients who are in our hospitals over the Christmas period. Younger patients and visitors were treated to a surprise visit from Santa, Buddy the Elf and Elsa from Frozen.

The magical trio visited Tropical Lagoon children’s ward, our Children’s Emergency Department and the Children’s and Young People’s Assessment Unit at Queen’s Hospital on Monday 23 December.

John Junnix from Let’s Party, a company providing children's party packages, organised a visit after his daughter was cared for at our hospital. He came to visit alongside Ricknroll Entertainment Mascots, who handed out toys and gifts.

Lia and Petru, from Chadwell Heath, came into hospital dressed up in Santa outfits- but they didn’t expect to see him here. They were handed gifts from Santa and had their photo taken with him.

During the festive period, we also make sure our adult inpatients feel the holiday spirit, delivering a gift bag of presents on Christmas Day. 

A whole team of volunteers on behalf of the King George and Queen’s Hospital Charity spend the run-up to Christmas packing 1,160 presents for our patients.

The gift bags include a charity puzzle book full of crosswords and wordsearches, alongside toiletries and a bar of chocolate. There are also teddy bears for those on our maternity wards.

Ward Clerk Bygrace Otudeko, who collected Christmas presents ready to give to patients on the Medical Assessment Unit at King George Hospital, said:

What the charity is doing is incredible. It’s great that we can make Christmas special for patients in hospital. Some patients do not have loved ones, so at least they know that they have loved ones in hospital who want to make a positive difference to their Christmas.