Staff and patients at the Royal Free Hospital were getting into the Christmas spirit as jazz quintet, London Essentials, performed rock and roll and festive classics around several wards.

London Essentials visited our elderly patient wards on the 8 and 10 floor singing songs on request. Frank Sinatra’s ‘Blue Moon’ and Elvis Presley’s ‘Love Me Tender’ were the two most requested as patients hummed along to the tunes from their beds. 

Eduarda Rodrigues, ward sister on 10 North, said: “The patients really enjoyed it, and so did the staff. It was great because the patients got to engage with the band as they joined in with the singing and got to request songs they wanted to hear. It isn’t nice being in a hospital bed over Christmas, so things like these really help with their moral and recovery.” 

Richard Chester, deputy director of patient experience, said: “This was such a great experience for the staff and the patients; it makes their stay on our wards so much more enjoyable and can really help with their care. We’re so thankful to the band and to the Royal Free Charity who helped us organise this.” 

One patient on 10 North, Dorcas Whitton, followed the band around to each bay in a wheel chair singing along. 

Dorcas said: “I have loved music all my life, so when I hear singing I just have to join in. I stay awake until 10pm every night listening to music like Bob Marley and Calypso, so I really enjoyed the band’s cover of ‘Three Little Birds’. 

“Everyone enjoys music and seeing it live makes it sound even better, I just can’t help but dance and sing when I hear it and I feel so happy doing it. 

ENDS

Image: London Essentials with, Eduardo Rodrigues, ward sister, Melanie Romain, consultant, Aissoli Beldi, junior sister and Dorcas Whitton, patient on 10 North. 

Notes to editors

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.