Local organisations, community group, volunteers and charities are being thanked for taking the time to bring a bit of festive cheer to patients, staff and visitors across NHS Forth Valley.

Over the last few weeks patients and staff have been treated to a wide range of festive events and activities. These include music and carols from local Brownies, Primary Schools and the Dunblane Boys Brigade. Larbert High School held a Christmas Craft Fayre in the atrium at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and created some wonder festive art work on glass corridors and entrances.

Hundreds of presents were also donated to several wards including the Children’s Ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital who received gifts from a wide range of local businesses and organisations. These included Falkirk Football Club, Tesco, Asda and Forth Valley College, as well as many other local groups, businesses and kind-hearted individuals who responded to a gift appeal.

Presents were also kindly donated by Serco, who provide a range of support services at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, to patients in the stroke ward (A22) on Christmas Eve.

Jane Grant, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, said: “Having to be in hospital at this time of year can be difficult for patients and their families so we are very grateful to all the individuals and organisations who have provided entertainment and helped bring a bit of festive cheer to our hospitals over the last few weeks.”

Marlene Boyd, Serco Contract Director at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said “We’re very grateful to our staff who generously donated gifts and helped bring a bit of happiness to some of the patients not lucky enough to spend the festive period at home.”

Isobel Devoy, Senior Charge Nurse, Ward A22, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said “Our patients really appreciated the gifts donated to the ward and it was lovely to see the smiles on their faces when they were handed out. All of the staff would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated gifts to wards across the hospital, the generosity this year has been absolutely fantastic.”

Pictured are some of the NHS Forth Valley and Serco staff in A11