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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-12-24, Page 5CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1986—Page 5 AT CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL By Shelley McPhee Haist Most of us hope to enjoy the Christmas season in good health. We will gather with friends and family. We will enjoy sump- tuous turkey meals. We will exchange gifts. We will laugh, sing, celebrate and rejoice. p'or many though, Christmas is a time of illness and pain. People who are confined to hospital beds still need to remember the joys of Christmas, and at Clinton Public Hospital (CPH), the yuletide season brings an extra special effort from the people who work there. "We do everything in our power to make sure that the patients needs are being met," says hospital administrator Dan Steyn. CPH staff and volunteers endeavor to pro- vide excellent service throughout the year, and at Christmas time the effort made even surpasses that. The Christmas spirit at CPH begins near the start of December when volunteer workers from the Hospital Auxiliary dress' the hospital white walls in the colors of the season. Doorways and halls, waiting rooms and admitting areas take on a festive glow as Christmas trees and evergreen garlands, shiny tinsel and twinkling lights bring a warm yuletide feeling to the sedate hospital corridors. On the first floor of the hospital, the Aux- iliary Gift Shop is filled with handmade gifts, toiletries and Christmas ornaments. You can find some excellent Christmas gift ideas here. On second floor, the obstetrical wing is set to receive any Christmas Day babies that may be born. To recognize such a special event, babies born at Christmas time at CPH are given a giant red and white stock- ing - just the size for a newborn babe to fit in- to. For new parents, could there be any bet- ter stocking stuffer? At the other end of the second floor, the chronic care ward is decorated for the festive season. The patients here receive ex- tra special care at the Christmas, season. Many .of the patients in this wing remain hospitalized over Christmas, however, the holiday time is made more joyful for these people through extra efforts made by the hospital staff, volunteers and the CPH Auxiliary. Throughout the hospital at Christmas time there can be seen and heard the sights and sounds of the season. The hospital is a busy place these days as various local groups have been visiting the patients and entertaining them with yuletide 'programs. Church choirs, from Wesley Willis and On- tario Street United Churches and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church have held carol sings at the hospital. Youngsters too have taken part in special Christmas programs at CPH. Among those visiting the hospital have been the Second Clinton Brownie Pack, The Clinton Guides and the Awana Club. Contrary to what one might think, Christmas is not a depressing time at the hospital. Mr. Steyn noted, "It is an intensely emotional time, but Christmas brings out the best in everyone, especially in an institu- tion that cares for the ill." Doctors try to send many patients home for Christmas day, if their condition will allow. Occupancy rates run at approximate- ly 50 per cent over the Christmas season, but those who remain hospitalized received ex- tra special care. The patients are given extra care, the per- sonal touch, but the hospital staff as there are fewer patients to attend to. "It's a time of year when hospital ac- tivities for the staff decease and many business and management items are put on hold until after the holidays. The staff are more relaxed," Mr. Steyn noted. While most people earn a day off on December 25, nursing staff at CPH must re- main on duty. It's an obligation that comes The best present is your presence People who live in homes for the elderly, or those who are hospitalized over the Christmas season love being remembered with gifts. Convalescent home residents, for exam- ple, can use all kinds of clothing and toilet articles. High on their lists for Santa Claus also are small lap robes made of knitted or crocheted material that are machine washable. Lap robes are perfect for a cozy, warm feeling. • Favorite gifts also include individually wrapped scented soap, talcum powder, per- fume, hand cream, brush and comb sets, .and wallets. Jewelry also makes a nice gift, especially beads or earrings. Men like to receive socks and shaving lo- tion, slippers and robes. Candy and cookies with the job. For the most part, the holiday work scheduling is a co-operative effort. Nurses have a choice, to work Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Requests and scheduling are made by the end of October and the director of nursing works to accommodate everyone's wishes. "Nurses are one of the most dedicated group of people on the face of the earth," Mr. Steyn said. As well, medical staff are on call on Christmas Day for the operating room, the laboratory, and the X-ray department. As well, Dr. Bill Harrett will be working over the Christmas holiday to attend to any medical emergencies, as well as making hospital rounds for other doctors. "The medical staff must be here over Christmas," Mr. Steyn said. "They're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no day off for Clinton Public Hospital." December 25 is a festive day at CPH. Small gifts are given to all the patients, courtesy of the Hospital Auxiliary. The gift giving has been an ongoing Christmas tradi- tion since the Auxiliary formed more than 50 years ago. In the kitchen, staff work to prepare a traditional Christmas Day feast. This year's menu will feature tomato juice, buttered croissants, turkey and gravy, mushroom stuffing, whipped potatoes, baby peas, tur- nip, Christmas pudding, shortbread. and squares. Some 100 turkey dinners will be served on Christmas day, to patients, guests and staff members. Hospital patients are invited to have one guest join them for the Christmas dinner. A special dining area will be set-up to allow patients and their guests to join together for the meal. As well, the hospital cafeteria will be decorated for the season. Christmas at Clinton Public Hospital is a time of co-operation, good cheer, sharing and giving. Here you can find the true spirit of Christmas at work. For parents there is no greater gift than the birth of a new baby. Babies born on Christmas Day at Clinton Public Hospital come specially wrapped in a bright red stock- ing, modelled here by little Ellen Karissa De Koning. Nurses Vicki Colquhoun and Margie Draper will be on duty Christmas Day. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo) are also popular, as are fruit baskets. Gifts also include books, crossword puzzles, games, magazine subscriptions or stationery. To keep hands busy, take puzzles or craft kits suck as needlepoint, macrame ''+ or painting. If they are collectors, it might be possible to come up with an interesting coin or stamp. For younger patients, crayons, balls, finger painting sets, small cars, dolls, puzzles and educational toys will help make their Christmas hospital stay a little brighter. Best of all, for the relative or friend who must spend their holidays in a hospital bed, your presence would doubtless be of greater value than any purchased presents. Choir members from Ontario Street United Church brought the festive sounds of the season to Clinton Public Hospital recently. Joining the church choir in carolling were patients Mary Jane Sutcliffe (in the wheelchair) and visitor Wendy Johnston, as well as little Lenny Beisinger, held by nurse Irene Bromley. (Shelley McPhee Heist photo) Jean CoA, director of nursing, does some Christmas window shopping at the Auxiliary Gift Shop. The Clinton Public Hospital Gift Shop is filled with handmade items, toiletries and specialty Items that will suit everyone's Christmas gift giving list. The gift shop Is open afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. (Shelley McPhee Mist photo) Joanne Wnames and Val Muter will help to prove that hospital food Is better than people believe. They will prepare a turkey feast at CPH on Christmas Day. (Shelley McPhee Halst photo) The X -Ray department at Clinton Public Hospital is gift wrap- ped for the season. Radiologist Laurie Segeren shows off the blue wrapping paper and lace bow that decorates the door of the department. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo)