Community health staff with a passion for performance have gone the extra mile this Christmas to arrange a special lunch and entertainment for day patients receiving specialist palliative care.

Staff at the Rowan Day Centre, which is run by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) and part of the Priscilla Bacon Centre (PBC) for Specialist Palliative Care Services, on Unthank Road, in Norwich, held the festive feast on Friday (13 December).

As well as enjoying lunch, day patients were treated to a visit from Father Christmas and his helper elf, otherwise known as consultant Dr Phil Wilkins and Dr Suzanne Hogg, who handed out presents donated by the Priscilla Bacon Lodge Support Group.

The PBC staff singing group ‘Bacon’s Baubles’ then gave a rendition of ‘Santa Baby’ before two groups made up of patients and volunteers, known as ‘The Monday Ladies’ and ‘Friday Boys’ gave their own festive performances. The party finished with tea, cake, mince pies and a Christmas sing-a-long for the day patients, their friends and families.

The Rowan Day Centre provides multidisciplinary support for people who are dealing with advanced progressive incurable illnesses, such as cancer, motor neurone disease and end stage heart failure.

Patients usually attend the unit weekly, and work with expert staff to set their own personal goals, which are regularly reviewed throughout their attendance.

Staff Nurse Ruth Gooda, who is in charge of the unit and helped arrange the party, said: “We wanted to make sure the emphasis of the party was on having fun, and were delighted that it was such a success. Lots of patients were overwhelmed by the things we’d organised, which was very touching.

“We are really grateful to everyone who helped out on the day – including our colleagues who gave performances and helped keep everyone entertained, and to the Priscilla Bacon Lodge Support Group who so kindly donated the presents for Santa to deliver.”

 

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