While lots of us are enjoying time with loved ones or having a break from work over Christmas, there are countless health heroes who are working tirelessly during the festive period to make sure the people of Greater Manchester get the care they need.
We’re celebrating some of the amazing health heroes who will be working over Christmas this year.
Abiodun
Abiodun is a senior mental health liaison practitioner. Abiodun will be supporting people in mental health crisis who arrive at A&E at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
She said, “This time of year brings unique challenges and opportunities to provide compassionate care to those in need. Being able to support people during these critical moments is not just a job – it is a privilege. I feel proud and am grateful to contribute to their wellbeing during the festive season.”
Thank you Abiodun, you really are a true Christmas health hero!
Mike
Talk About It Mate is a Salford based social enterprise offering mental health support to men. Mike began the group in 2017, following his own mental breakdown. He has created a supportive, non-judgmental space for men to connect and discuss their mental health challenges, in an informal setting.
Mike said: “Christmas is a difficult time because there is an expectation to be social or be with family, but for a lot of the men that we work with, they might be alone a lot of the time, which can be incredibly difficult.
“We make sure we put on a great Christmas party every year and we invite all the men from our groups. We always put on sessions between Christmas and New Year, even if it’s just for a cup of tea and a chat, because it’s a long time when a lot of places are closed and you’re not seeing people. We try to keep them going over Christmas as best as we can. so that they can just come and connect.”
You can find out more about Talk About It Mate by visiting their website.
Thank you Mike, you really are a true Christmas Health Hero!
Donna
Donna works in catering for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals. Donna said;
“I’ll be working Christmas Day to help cook Christmas dinner for patients and staff at Leigh, Wigan and Wrightington hospitals. It will be very busy, but working alongside your colleagues you make it as fun as possible.
“We love cooking and that’s why we’re here. and I think there’s something really special about being able to make food for people. It’s a very nurturing thing.
“Patients aren’t with their families but they’re getting a good Christmas meal and we’re proud that we’re feeding them and then we’ll go home to our families for our own Christmas dinner.”
Thank you for being a real Christmas health hero Donna!
Gav
Gav is the Rehabilitation Officer for Visual Impairment (ROVI) in Salford. He works with people who have become visually impaired, giving them skills and confidence to have an independent life. Gav was born with a congenital visual impairment but says it isn’t the reason he got into working with people with vision impairment.
Gav said: “A person with sight loss could find Christmas shopping challenging. This can be especially difficult due to higher volumes of shoppers creating what we call “visual noise” that can be overwhelming.
“We are working over the Christmas period as there is the potential for people with sight loss being isolated, due to some services taking holidays or only having limited support. This ensures that someone with a vision or hearing impairment can get support if they need it during this time.”
Gav, you are amazing. Thank you for being a Christmas health hero and for everything you do!
Dr Shah-Nawaz Mian
Dr Shah-Nawaz Mian is the Medical Director at Mastercall Healthcare, who provide out of hours cover for GP practices. He is also a consultant at Wythenshawe Urgent Treatment Centre and he will be working on Christmas Day from 8am-6pm.
Dr Mian said: “I choose to work on the Christmas public holiday as I recognise and appreciate that many of my Christian colleagues will want to celebrate this religious and social time with their families.
“I love the Christmas spirit and festivities at work with colleagues, bringing in treats and presents for both staff and young patients such as colouring books and selection boxes. The trees are decorated, the secret Santa is organised, and I am wearing my red Santa scrubs covered in tinsel and glitter. Being a local doctor is a pleasure and a privilege helping to make a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Thank you, Dr. Mian! You are a true healthcare hero!
Sam
Sam is a nursing assistant at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. The unit she works on is a child and adolescent inpatient ward and Sam will be working there on Christmas Day.
She said: “Everyone deserves to have a magical Christmas no matter their situation. I have my own children at home and it’s important that I set an example and show them that helping people who need it most is exactly what Christmas is all about.”
Thanks Sam for being an amazing healthcare hero!
Steve
Steve from Bury is a volunteer driver with Greater Manchester Blood Bikes. The charity transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast milk and any other urgently required medical items to hospitals and healthcare sites at night, weekends and bank holidays. These volunteers offer their time for free, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most. They work alongside a network of other blood bike charities covering a large proportion of the country.
Steve said: “I don’t ride a motorbike and thought I’d never be able to help blood bikes but then I saw the charity had cars. GM Blood Bikes could not achieve what we do without everyone giving up their free time and pulling together as one team to provide this essential service to the NHS.
“I remember feeling a little embarrassed when an NHS doctor told me that I was “literally a life saver”. While I don’t know the circumstances of that delivery, it made me feel so very proud of what we do, but it’s those jobs where the sender or recipient tells us how much it means to them that we are there, providing this service to the NHS.”
You can find out more about GM Blood Bikes on their website.
Steve, you are a real hero – thank you for being a lifesaver!
Amy
Amy is a paediatric respiratory nurse at Tameside Hospital and will be working on Christmas Day. Amy cares for children who have had asthma attacks and needed admission to hospital.
She said: “We see lots of admissions over the winter months and we make sure parents have good self-management skills and knowledge around their child’s asthma. One of the main things we are focussed on this year is smoking cessation as we realise this is a huge trigger for those with asthma.
“During the festive season I have lots of additional clinics to cope with the increased demands, hoping to keep children as healthy as possible and prevent any future hospital admissions. My advice would be to avoid smoking and vaping around children and be cautious of log burning fires and pollution.”
Thanks Amy, you really are a health hero!
Neville
Neville has been a chef at The Christie for 12 years. He is working Christmas Day to provide a full festive lunch for patients and hospital staff.
He, along with his kitchen colleagues, will produce a hot roast lunch for around 400 patients and staff, followed by a buffet meal for the evening. Everything at the hospital is freshly prepared and cooked on the day it is served.
Neville has volunteered to work on Christmas Day many times, particularly as other team members have younger children.
He said, “I am so pleased that I can do something nice for our patients on Christmas Day. The last thing they want is to be here at Christmas, and it feels good to do something that I know they will appreciate and that will bring a smile to their faces.
“On Christmas Day, the staff usually dress up in Christmas hats, and it is a lot quieter than usual. Relatives visit the hospital to see their loved ones and bring some Christmas cheer.”
Thank you Neville, you’re making a massive difference and are a true health hero!
