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For some families at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Christmas Day will be marked not at home but at the bedside, as children continue treatment through the festive period.
A baby’s first Christmas after 12 operations
Lenny Page is 13 months old and has spent his entire life in hospital. Born with vacterl association, he has multiple congenital abnormalities and his oesophagus is not attached, meaning he is fed through tubes.
His mother, Beth, says the past year has been “horrendous and tough”, describing repeated swings in his health as he has undergone 12 surgeries, with more expected in the coming months.
Beth stays with him every day, and her husband joins them after finishing work. “Don’t want to be in hospital at Christmas, but as long as he’s well, that’s all that matters,” she says.
In the intensive care unit, Lenny’s hospital cot has been decorated for Christmas, including several Arsenal pictures reflecting the family’s love of football. Beth says they plan to mark the moment Christmas begins at midnight and do what they can to keep traditions alive. “When the clocks turn, he’ll have all his presents like a normal Christmas. We’ll try our best to make it feel as good as possible,” she says.
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‘This Christmas will be different’ for children on cancer wards
On the children’s cancer wards, many young patients will also spend Christmas in hospital. Seven-year-old Lily Kinderis, diagnosed with leukaemia in October, had hoped to go home for the holiday but has been told she needs to remain on the ward.
“It’s really hard and very stressful,” Lily says.
Her mother, Edita, says the news has been difficult for the family. “It was so sad, because you know, this Christmas will be different… we definitely will try to make it more like home,” she says.
Ward staff tell families that Father Christmas can still visit, with special stockings set to be delivered, as teams work to maintain a sense of celebration despite ongoing treatment.
Carols in a chapel marking 150 years
At the hospital’s annual carol concert, families, patients and staff gather in the small chapel to sing together. The service comes as the chapel marks its 150th anniversary, offering a brief pause from appointments and treatments.
Beth Page says she is already looking ahead, hoping Lenny will be home next Christmas. “That will be the best moment of my life,” she says. “I can’t put it into words how good that would be. Having him home with us.”
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