Meet the Claire House nurses bringing care and comfort this Christmas

This Christmas, the Claire House Children’s Hospice team will be there for Merseyside families who need them most.

While many households across Merseyside unwrap presents on Christmas morning, dedicated nurses from Claire House Children’s Hospice will be working across Liverpool and beyond. 

They will be bringing comfort and care to seriously and terminally ill babies, children, young adults and their families when they need it most.

At Claire House, opening on Christmas Day is a decision that’s always driven by need. If a child requires end-of-life support or specialist Butterfly care, the hospice will be there with round-the-clock support. 

But even when the Wirral hospice itself can close its doors for the holiday, its nurses, part of the Palliative Care Services team, will be out in the community providing clinical care and support at home or in hospital. 

They’ll be there to offer comfort and support to families going through an incredibly tough Christmas. 

“From symptom management to emergency care and respite visits, our nurses deliver specialist care with compassion 365 days a year. And Christmas Day is no exception,” explains Louise Smith, Specialist Palliative Care Services Manager.

“This year, and every year, for families across Merseyside, we are just a phone call away if their child needs urgent care over the festive period.”

Here, Claire House’s nurses share what it really means to care at Christmas…

“I always feel privileged to do this work, but at Christmas that feeling is magnified. It’s a time when the little moments matter even more, and I’m reminded why I love what I do,” says Laura Sephton, Palliative Care Nurse Specialist. 

“For us, it’s about ensuring Christmas still happens, no matter what the day is, bringing moments of magical normality for families during the most difficult time of their lives. And seeing families smiling and laughing in moments they didn’t think it would be possible. Just being there to hold and support them when it’s not so possible for all the magic and sparkle is so important,” adds Aine Kingsland, Associate Palliative Care Nurse Specialist.

“People often ask how can you do this job at Christmas, being on call and missing out with your own family, but for me if someone calls over Christmas they are going through the worst time possible and if there is anything I can do to make this a little bit better then I will,” says Clare Doig, Palliative Care Nurse Specialist. 

Claire House provides vital care, not only in its Wirral hospice and West Derby site, but also out in the community and hospitals, giving families support wherever it’s needed. Through its Butterfly support team, bereavement services and specialist nurses, it continues to be a lifeline for families during the toughest times.

However, the hospice can only stay open all year round, and have its nurses out in the community, thanks to the generosity of the public.

To help children and families, and to watch the charity’s Christmas appeal video, visit: www.clairehouse.org.uk/izzy

Meet the teen with with cerebral palsy who is walking for charity in everyday in a festive challenge. Read more here.