Healthcare workers have delivered some much needed cheer to their young patients this December, transforming The Children’s Hospital at Westmead into a playground of imagination.
From Pac-Man to Monopoly, wards and clinics across the hospital have been turned into scenes straight out of a game for its annual Party Day, helping to bring some delight to the families who won’t be able to go home this year for Christmas.
Held last Friday, December 1, the Party Day saw everyone from doctors and nurses through to ward clerks and administration teams, dress up as characters from ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Barbie’ and ‘Frozen’.
Patients also received gift bags and enjoyed activities like balloon twisting and face painting.
For parents Mikayla Petruccelli and Jayden Mura, the decorations mean a happier hospital experience for their three-year-old daughter Alexis ‘Lexi’ Mura.
“I think [the decorations are] really nice, [Lexi’s] ward is Camperdown so they have all the Pacman and the lights up and everything, she enjoys walking down the corridor,” she told Parra News.
“It’s really nice, everyone here is having a hard time but it just makes it a little bit happier.
“It’s a nice space to come back to, we probably won’t have Christmas at home but this year isn’t going to be that bad anyway because all the staff and the wards are all done up.”
The event is also a celebration for the dedicated healthcare staff who work tirelessly year-round to ensure children and young people across NSW receive high-quality and family-centred care.
Nurse Unit Manager for the Surgical Ward Yeganeh Shekari said the staff had been working on the decorations for the last month.
“I think everyone is really impressed, the kids love it, we’ve given the kids their Party Day gifts, so it’s genuinely a really nice vibe and atmosphere,” she said.
“Even with the kids that are quite sick, they all have a smile on their face, so it’s really nice.”
Not only did the kids get a special visit from iconic characters like Buzz Lightyear and Batman, they even were able to pat a very friendly Alpaca, named Hephner.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Christmas party without a visit from the man in red himself, and when Santa Claus finally arrived, there were smiles all around.
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis also attended the Party Day to wish the patients a Merry Christmas.
“Party Day is an opportunity to experience the magic of the holidays right here in the hospital and I’m proud to have been part of it,” she said.
“Seeing their faces light up with happiness is a priceless gift.”
“I think everyone is really impressed, the kids love it, we’ve given the kids their Party Day gifts, so it’s genuinely a really nice vibe and atmosphere,” she said.
“Even with the kids that are quite sick, they all have a smile on their face, so it’s really nice.”
Not only did the kids get a special visit from iconic characters like Buzz Lightyear and Batman, they even were able to pat a very friendly Alpaca, named Hephner.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Christmas party without a visit from the man in red himself, and when Santa Claus finally arrived, there were smiles all around.
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis also attended the Party Day to wish the patients a Merry Christmas.
“Party Day is an opportunity to experience the magic of the holidays right here in the hospital and I’m proud to have been part of it,” she said.
“Seeing their faces light up with happiness is a priceless gift.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.