WHILE you and your family are enjoying Christmas at home or with loved ones, spare a thought for the emergency services.

Deputy Sister Bridget Wilson is looking forward to her usual Christmas routine – working on the Children’s Ward at York Hospital.

Having worked every Christmas Day for ten years since starting work at the hospital, Bridget has only missed once when she had a car accident.

Each Christmas is different, some have been busy with a lot of very poorly children, others less so when more children have been allowed home.

Bridget said: "We try to let as many children home for Christmas as possible even if it’s only for a few hours on Christmas Day. The doctors will make the decision but sometimes children are just too poorly. For those who are here we make the day the best it can be for everybody. Santa comes round with the presents and we all have a traditional family Christmas dinner together with patients and families."

Looking forward to their first Christmas on the Children’s ward are student nurses Paige Wallace-Donnelly, Faith Huby and Sarah Renshaw.

All are on their three-year nursing degree course and are learning about the role of paediatric nurse.

Sarah said: "I’m looking forward to working at Christmas and want to try and make it as much fun as possible for the children and their families."

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Police's Emergency and non-emergency phone lines are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and this year is no different.

Deployment manager Victoria Henderson said she had come to expect hundreds of calls throughout the Christmas period, but staff kept a positive attitude throughout.

She said: "We expect in excess of 170, 999 calls on Christmas eve, and non emergency calls of approx 540. Christmas Day itself will see approx 150, 999 calls and non emergency 245. Many of these will be drink related.

"There is a good atmosphere in the Control Room on these special occasions. In between calls we have a toast with our cuppas and say Merry Christmas to each other. We also have a secret Santa that we will hand out in the early hours when things have quietened down. Nobody moans about working these dates. It’s in the small print when you sign up for working in a 24/7 emergency services organisation but the team make the night/day as special as it can be."

Victoria also provided The Press with this twist on a Christmas favourite:

`Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
Except for the burglar who crept in unseen.
The suspicious noises and suspects seen,
The fight in the pub where someone gets glassed,
Concern for those who have got smashed,
RTC’s where drink was an issue,
Breaking news to relatives, please provide a tissue.
Thefts, damage, domestics to name just a few,
Vulnerable people needing our assistance too.
`Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
But if you need the Police we will always be there 
24/7 to assist and to care.