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21
Dec
'What we do is 24/7': the staff who work at Saint Michael’s Hospice over Christmas
For many of us, Christmas is a chance to be with off work with our families, away from our office desks and computer screens.
But for the staff at St Michael's Hospice in Harrogate, Christmas has to be worked. It's arguably a time when they are needed the most, doing everything they can to make Christmas as gentle as possible for patients and their families.
The Stray Ferret recently met Laura Wilson, an apprentice nurse at Harrogate’s Saint Michael’s Hospice, to learn more about what it means to work in palliative care at Christmas.
Laura has been at Saint Michael's for eight years. Having worked in healthcare for around 20 years in various sectors, she was originally hesitant to work in palliative care.
But experiencing Saint Michael’s changed her mind.
She said:
The minute I came here I just thought, ‘Wow, this is how care should be done.’ It’s just right – it’s how it should be for people. I love it.
Christmas on the ward
Laura and her colleagues try to make the festive period as patient-centred and family-oriented as possible.
Staff talk with patients about what’s important to them at Christmas time, allowing the hospice to tailor each experience individually.
She said:
The kitchen staff always prepare a Christmas meal, and family and friends can come and join them. We set up a table in the patient’s bedroom, so even if they’re nursed in bed, the family can come in.
We try to normalise it with Christmas crackers and a glass of fizz. We ask about family traditions and try to make it normal to their Christmas.
Saint Michael's Hospice decorates its biggest tree each December.
The staff try to be festive and cheerful, saying that some of the patients love it when they come in with deely boppers or snazzy Christmas socks on.
They also help patients buy and wrap presents for loved ones, ensuring they still have something to give on Christmas Day, and have even brought Christmas forward for patients unlikely to reach December.
But they also remain sensitive to the emotional impact on patients and families, offering support — even if that means choosing not to celebrate at all.
The hospice also works with Just ‘B’, a specialist bereavement service providing one-to-one support.
Emotional realities
Despite being positive for patients, hospice staff are only human, and Christmas can be tough for them.
Laura said:
It’s challenging to see people upset at Christmas, knowing that you’re going home to your family and loved ones, but somebody here is potentially having their last Christmas here. I think it can be quite humbling.
There’s a lovely feel here at Christmas, but I do think that it gives the staff that reality check – we’re all so lucky we get to spend it with the people we love.
Working in palliative care is emotionally demanding year-round.
Laura said she still remembers the first patient who died while she was on shift, but experience has helped her manage those emotions:
Those moments stay with you – things will upset you. But that shows you’re human and you care. It’s about learning to accept that it’s ok to have those feelings. I wouldn’t go into a room and be crying over somebody’s bed – I know I’m there to care for that patient. But I think it’s also ok to acknowledge that it’s a really difficult job.
We have a really good team and support each other if we are struggling with something. On the days that we have really challenging shifts, we pull together so well.
Despite the challenges, the work is also deeply rewarding.
Laura said it means a great deal to know they are providing such high-quality care for patients and families, and she values the chance to get to know them, particularly at Christmas.
Lots of people gathered for a Christmas fundraising event at the hospice recently.
‘We can choose when to have our Christmas’
Laura said having perspective is vital when working in a hospice over Christmas.
While many people switch off for the holidays, terminal illness does not. She doesn’t mind rearranging her own Christmas plans.
She said:
What we do is 24/7, and it’s important to recognise that. My family are all still there when I get home. In previous years, we’ve moved our Christmas Day to Christmas Eve because I’m at work.
It doesn’t matter – it’s about being together as a family, and we can choose when we do that.
For our patients, they don’t have that choice, so it’s important to get it right for them.
Laura said working in palliative care has led her to encourage people to be grateful for family celebrations, whatever the time of year.
There's no doubt that Laura and others like her at St Michael's will be providing much appreciated love and support over this Christmas period.
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