https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/news/nihr-gosh-clinical-research-facility-celebrates-patients-and-their-families-with-a-festive-celebration/

NIHR GOSH Clinical Research Facility celebrates patients and their families with a festive celebration

20 Dec 2024, 1:21 p.m.

Group photo of staff at the event smiling to camera.

On Wednesday 18 December we celebrated the festive period at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) GOSH Clinical Research Facility (CRF) on the 8th floor of the Southwood building.

We welcomed patients who are taking part in clinical research trials at GOSH and their families to the facility for a morning and afternoon of festive fun which included music, games, arts and crafts and some special guests!

GOSH Arts led a singing and dancing session in the morning (with Santa and one of our elves joining to show off their dance moves) and we were joined by music organisation The Spitz who performed some songs to our patients.

We were thrilled to have Cbeebies presenter Chantelle Lindsay join the event where she met with patients, families, staff and children from the GOSH nursery.

Gunnersauraus also made a surprise appearance much to everyone’s excitement as well as three of our therapy dogs who of course were the stars of the show!

Patients and families also got involved in gingerbread decoration and a temporary tattoo station. Our cardiovascular research team were also on hand to take guests on a virtual reality tour of the heart.

We want to thank everyone who attended the event for making it such a memorable one!

  • Our Santa and two elves smile to camera with a patient who sits on their bed.
  • GOSH Arts perform at the event.
  • Chantelle Lindsay smiles to camera with patient and their Dad.
  • Photo of Santa, baby and their Mum smiling to camera.
  • Our elf breakdances at the event while GOSH Arts watch on laughing and cheering.
  • Our santa and elf sit side by side smiling, our elf holds a ukulele.
  • Santa greets patient and their Dad.
  • Small, white, therapy dog who attended the event wearing a santa jacket.
  • Gunnersaurus and Chantelle pose for the camera in the facility's hallway.

"It was lovely to be able to bring everyone together"

Claire O’Neill, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager for the NIHR GOSH Clinical Research Facility said:

“It was a joy to be able to put on this event to celebrate our patients and their families and enjoy some festive fun together. There was a fun, silly energy in the air all day and it was lovely to be able to bring everyone together. Our special guests went down a treat and the activities were enjoyed by all. I’m so glad we got to do this!".

Surgeon who saved children’s sight surprised by patients, family and colleagues

Professor Chris Lloyd, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and paediatric ophthalmologist, was given a surprise to remember as a part of the BBC The One Show’s ‘One Big Thank You’.

Gentler treatment eliminates early deaths for children with relapsed leukaemia

A groundbreaking national study led by clinicians at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has shown that children and young people with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) can be treated safely with significantly less intensive chemotherapy.

NHS eye gene therapy restores Saffie's sight

Saffie has had her sight restored thanks to life-changing eye gene therapy for rare blindness at GOSH

£3M study led by patient voices targets pain in inflammatory arthritis

A new £3 million research programme involving Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London researchers aims to tackle one of the largest unmet clinical needs in inflammatory arthritis – pain reduction.