A children's remembrance Christmas tree at Prince Charles Hospital

The Paediatric Emergency Department in Prince Charles Hospital received some special visitors this week. Children from Fochriw Primary School visited the department to take a look at the Christmas tree that they and their class mates helped to create.

Unit Sister Victoria Hughes and Esyld Watson, consultant in paediatric and adult emergency medicine, wanted the children who have passed away in the Unit to be remembered and have their names, if their families wished to, have a place in the unit. Victoria had the idea of involving the community in the project, so asked the organisation 2wish for support – 2wish supports families who have experienced the sudden death of a young person.

After consulting with 2wish and families, their idea is now a reality, and they have a gorgeous hand-made Christmas tree in the department to commemorate the children who have passed away. The Christmas tree starting from the bottom up, is made of handprints from Fochriw Primary School, leading up to cut-out handprints for leaves, which are the work of Goetre Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil. The stars commemorate children who have passed away and been supported by 2wish with their parents writing a dedication on the back of the star. The baubles were made by children in the department who have been patients over the past few weeks, and finally the top of the tree has robins displaying the names of staff who work in the department.

Victoria said: “I’m new to post but have always involved the community in projects where I can. I wanted to start involving the community in this unit and felt that Christmas was the ideal opportunity to involve the community for our first project.  Everyone involved has been really enthusiastic, and it’s been a huge success and wonderful that we could involve the parents of our little wish stars. I am also looking forward to future projects involving the community, keeping the links going and build on them for the future.”

Dr Watson, said: “I am so pleased that the community is involved within our department and this is hopefully the first project of many that they can be involved in. Remembering our stars is a wonderful addition and benefits our families, as well as the staff involved in their care.”

Picture 1: Gracie, Isla and Eva - Fochriw Primary School

Picture 2: Dr Esyld Watson and Sister Victoria Hughes

22/12/22