Spending Christmas Day in hospital might not be anyone’s first choice of place to enjoy the festivities but staff at Gobowen's Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) pulled out all the stops to ensure patients had the most special time possible.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, staff put on a host of events and activities to make life that little bit brighter for patients who had to spend time at RJAH this Christmas.

Some events included a visit from Father Christmas – who looked like Andrew Roberts, the Trust’s clinical chair of support services unit and consultant orthopaedic surgeon – and a children’s party on Alice Ward, as well as a visit from players and staff from Oswestry’s The New Saints.

Staff on the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) also performed in their annual Christmas pantomime for patients and hospital colleagues.

Four wards remained open on the day itself, including Powys Ward – one of the hospital’s surgical wards.

Heather Owen, interim ward manager on Powys Ward, said: “This year Powys Ward is the surgical ward remained open over the Christmas period, and we looked forward to it.

“We know that spending Christmas in hospital isn’t ideal but we did our best to ensure the day as special as it can be for patients.

"There will be a lovely Christmas lunch served by the hospital’s fantastic Catering team, as well as presents.

“It will also be good to see colleagues from other areas of the hospital pulling together to help us staff the ward over the festive period. It will be teamwork at its finest.”

Mark Brandreth, chief executive, at the hospital said: “A big thank you to our staff who have been working hard in the run-up to Christmas to give our patients the best possible experience.

“I am particularly grateful to staff who will spend Christmas Day working.

"I look forward to visiting them on Christmas morning to say thank you in person.”