Meet the healthcare workers in and around Portsmouth working on Christmas Day

South Central Ambulance Service paramedics Mercedes Bateman and Emma Church will be working on Christmas Day, fresh off the back of appearing on Inside the Ambulance – Coast and Country.

For 33-year-old Mercedes from Southsea it marks her third year working the festive day.

She told The News: ‘It is actually one of my favourite days to work. I am working with my best friend at work and if it isn’t an urgent call then we get to chat to the families. We see a variety of things during our jobs, including social issues and mental health, but I think this year we will see a lot more people on their own and having a tougher time so for those that need us we will be there.

‘Getting to watch us do our jobs has been really strange. I thought I would want the ground to swallow me up but it was really nice to see all the little conversations you have in between jobs and that was quite funny.

‘My message to people is to follow the rules. Is it worth putting someone in your family at high risk just for one day? We want to keep everyone safe so please stick to the rules.’

Emma, 50, from Bursledon, added: ‘It has been quite a different feel this year in the lead up to Christmas as we usually have lots of treats sent in from the public which is so lovely but due to Covid that hasn’t been possible this year.

‘Filming the series was so surreal and watching it back the only thing I could concentrate on was my voice, do I really sound like that?!’

North Harbour Community First Responder co-ordinator Sam Blake, from Clanfield, and Patient Transport Service team members Rhys Sullivan, from Portsmouth, will both be covering Christmas.

For 28-year-old Rhys this is his first time working Christmas. He said: ‘It is business as usual for us but it is lovely to see people being really extra supportive at Christmas. We just want everyone to be safe and stay to the government guidelines.

Sam, 28, added: ‘For us it is just another day and we ask everyone to stick by the rules to keep everyone safe.’

Helen Currie, community matron for the Portsmouth End of Life support service at Solent NHS Trust, will be working her second Christmas in a row.

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She said: ‘As a community nurse it is important to make Christmas Day a happy and memorable day for the patients, their families and fellow employees, who are working on one of the most important days of the year.

‘Normally, nurses will wear a funny Christmas hat or flashing badge to bring a bit of fun, though for infection control these extra touches will not be possible, but we will still try our best to bring the festive cheer.

‘The one thing I do find really hard is the fact that patients cannot see our smiles, so we must smile through our arms and eyes. Even though things might be different, we will still be here for our patients for anything they may need.

‘If you are working this Christmas, I want to thank you for the care and support you provide to patients whatever role you may be in, you are all super stars.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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