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Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Christmas comes to WCH

WCH Christmas 2021 8
Posted 23 Dec 2021

Being in hospital can be tough at any time of the year, but especially so at Christmas. That is why the dedicated staff at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital go to great lengths to bring the spirit of the season to all those in our care.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Lindsey Gough, says it’s wonderful to see how much joy is brought to children at this time of year.

“We know that no one wants to be in hospital for Christmas and it is always so heart-warming to see the way staff make sure all children feel the spirit of Christmas,” Ms Gough said.

“It is always a highlight of my year, and a very special privilege, to accompany Father Christmas on his annual visit to our Hospital.”

“We cannot do this without the generosity of so many South Australians who contribute to bringing joy to our patients each festive season.”

From the moment visitors enter the hospital, they are greeted by ‘tinsel bombs’ created by local artist Louise Fitzgerald, with the support of our WCH Foundation Arts in Health Program.

Those having a break on the PlayDeck have also been treated to the sounds of our talented staff performing Christmas songs at lunchtime.

After dark, the PlayDeck becomes a wonderland of twinkling lights thanks to Amuse Lighting and Events.

Each year we recognise our hardworking staff with a special Christmas lunch and while COVID meant we couldn’t gather together, we were able to serve more than 1000 lunches to teams across the hospital.

The lunch was supported by The Hospital Research Foundation and featured the talents of the SA Police Band who entertained our staff.

SA Police charity Police Link is also a long-term supporter of the WCH and provides gifts for all our paediatric patients.

Our staff take the Christmas ward decorating competition very seriously and this year created videos to showcase their festive spirit. Congratulations to Adolescent ward for taking home the prize, followed by PICU as our runner-up and Seaford CaFHS as our Community Site winner.

You can see their videos @WCHNetwork on Facebook and Instagram.

We were fortunate to have the heART Project visit the hospital recently to take photos of paediatric patients.

The heART Project are a collaborative group of volunteer photographers and editors and they create heart-warming, imaginative artworks for families going through challenging times. You can see some of their handiwork in the gallery below.

The main event though is the big man in red, Father Christmas, who makes a few special trips to the WCH in December to give presents to all the children away from home.

Thank you to the SA Police, WCH Foundation, Friends of WCH and the South Australian community for your support.