Press Release
13th December 2011
For immediate release


School of Health Studies brings festive cheer to Bradford Royal Infirmary’s children’s wards

Following the success of its Christmas Present Appeal last year, students and staff at the School of Health Studies, University of Bradford, have once again been busy collecting gifts for local children who will be spending the festive season in hospital in Bradford and Airedale.

Some of the most seriously ill youngsters will not be able to return home for Christmas and in Bradford Royal Infirmary alone, over 65 children and young people will spend Christmas on the wards.

Dean of the School of Health Studies, Shirley Congdon, commented: “We work very closely with both Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, who provide an excellent level of support for our students whilst they are on their clinical placements. We are delighted to be able to express our thanks again this year, following the success of last year’s appeal, and to once again bring some festive cheer to families whose children are spending Christmas in hospital.”

Bradford Royal Infirmary Divisional General Manager for Childrens’ services, Sue Nguyen, said: "For the children who will be in hospital on Christmas Day, the Toy donations are very special.  We would like to thank the staff and students from the School of Health Studies who take the time and effort to make these toy donations, it is much appreciated by Paediatric ward staff and patients alike. The Donations really add to the festive atmosphere on the wards which is so important for our children.”

"For children in hospital play can help speed up their recovery and put a smile on their  faces. The department’s visit here will certainly bring cheer to our patients and their families at this special time of the year.”
The BRI has three paediatric wards –  for both Medicine and surgery . A hospital school is located at ward 17 of the BRI while the Trust’s paediatrics outpatients department is based at St Luke’s Hospital.

Photo Opportunity

Presentation of gifts at Children’s Ward (Ward 17) at Bradford Royal Infirmary – Thursday 15 December at 11am, by Claire Pryke, Marketing and Recruitment Manager, School of Health Studies and Mark Gillatt, First Year Student Nurse (Child Branch)

Information for Editors

The School of Health Studies, University of Bradford provides undergraduate training for student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, and continuing professional development courses for a wide range of healthcare staff. For more information about the School of Health Studies, visit www.bradford.ac.uk/health

For more information on Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk

Further media information on the University of Bradford

For further information please contact Emma Banks in the University of Bradford Press Office on 01274 23 3089/3084.

Out of office hours call 07879 437996, alternatively, e-mail press@bradford.ac.uk or fax on (01274) 236280.
For further media information on Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, please contact Communications Officer, Tanya Tarry, on 01274 364700 or email tanya.tarry@bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk