Frontline workers in Cork gearing up for a busy Christmas Day

FRONTLINE workers across Cork city are bracing themselves for another hectic Christmas Day with many working around the clock to facilitate hospital admissions.

Natalie Cashman, who is the assistant director of nursing and bed manager at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork, will be among those clocking in on Monday, December 25. 

The mother of three described it as a privilege to help people on what can be a difficult day for many people battling illness. She explained why it can be a poignant time of year for patients facing complex illnesses. This, she explained, can be a challenging element of her job at the hospital.

“The most challenging thing is trying to make everyone happy because that’s not always going to be possible,” she told The Echo. 

“We want to be able to make people feel better but sometimes you can’t. Even at this time of year people are getting diagnoses that aren’t necessarily the nicest. They might have just received a cancer diagnosis so knowing that they have this journey ahead at a time of year that they should be happy is difficult. We have a large oncology service in the hospital. Obviously, there are people who are accepting of their diagnoses, but this is a sad time of year for some. It can be hard for staff as well who really empathise with their patients. People going through these illnesses want to be spending time with their families have no choice but to stay in hospital.” 

Ms Cashman highlighted the more rewarding parts of her role.

“We are providing a service where we are helping people at their most difficult time. People are most vulnerable when they’re sick or when their families are sick and it’s a privilege to be able to help them and try and make life better and more comfortable for them." 

MsCashman described a typical Christmas Day at the hospital.

“We are helping people at their most difficult time. We are privileged to be able to do that and that’s something I never lose sight of. It’s actually a lovely day in the hospital which sounds a bit mad, but it really is true. This will be my first time working the Christmas Day shift in a few years. It’s a special time because even though you are in a hospital setting it still feels like Christmas Day. There are Christmas decorations and you still have your turkey lunch. It also means you have the chance to see all your colleagues. A lot of people are still joyful and happy. Santa comes to visit the children the night before and there is mass on Christmas Day at 11am and carol singing which really adds to the atmosphere.” 

The frontline worker is happy in the knowledge that she is making a difference.

“I look at it as being the same as someone who is helping feed the homeless on Christmas Day. It’s nice to spend time with your family but this is important too. You get something from it because you are with people who aren’t well enough to be with their own families. All you want is to help them feel better in any way you can. People are always appreciative of your care.” The assistant director of nursing said her children Lilly (11), David (9) and Sam (6) have always been very understanding when it comes to her role.

“They understand that my job involves a lot of shifts. I’ll be working Christmas Day from 7.30am but they will probably be up before that to see what Santa brought so I’ll hopefully be there when they’re opening their presents.”