Groote Schuur Hospital nurses gave over 1000 patients a special treat when they spread some Christmas cheer through the wards.
A video of the event went viral last week, as the nurses and other staff embarked on a three-hour-long tour of their new building and maternity ward where they sang and danced for ill patients who will be spending the
festive season in hospital.
The staff along with a live band sang Christmas carols and wore Christmas caps with all the bells and whistles to make the festive spirit felt in the wards.
Groote Schuur hospital spokesperson Alaric Jacobs says many patients from
outside Cape Town usually end up being alone over this period.
ALONE: Many patients don't get visitors during Christmas
“Some patients, especially the upcountry patients, get no visitors in the festive period. We are thus trying to make a difference in their festive season,” he says.
“It takes about three hours to cover all the areas and it’s tiring, but staff enjoy every minute of the walk and the singing continues non-stop.”
Alaric adds: “We are really happy that we could have done this for these patients, it’s really difficult to see that nobody visits them and we understand that the upcountry patients can’t always afford to have their relatives visit.
“We will still try to make them feel special and share the spirit of Christmas with these people.”
Armed with drums, a guitar, tambourines and Christmas keppies, the male and female nurses paraded with excitement.
Alaric adds: “Some patients who are very ill, wanted to get up out of their beds to come dance with us.”
WATCH: Nurses bring the cheer to patients
Video supplied