Panto comes to West Park Hospital
Date of release: 23 December 2024
They’re behind you!
Kind-hearted panto stars spread festive cheer when they visited patients in a Wolverhampton hospital.
Ward One staff at West Park Hospital
Dennis Ffrench and Rebecca Shepherd, who run D&B Productions, dressed up as Dame Ding Dong Mary Lee and Trixie Tinsel The Fairy Queen to put a smile on faces of patients on Ward One at West Park Hospital.
One of the patients who received a visit was Uber driver Ajay Purewal who said he had a lovely chat with Dennis and Rebecca.
The 63-year-old from Bilston said: “I had a stroke more than three weeks ago and I am getting there slowly.
“The staff have been incredible, and I couldn’t ask for any more.
“I am very determined to get back to how I was before the stroke and the staff are helping me achieve this.
“Being in hospital over Christmas is not ideal but having visits like this really do lift your spirits and it has cheered everyone up.”
Another patient on the ward was 57-year-old Sam Wood from Kingswinford.
He said: “It is a really nice thing to do. The days can be very long and frustrating so having visitors like these two have really been great.”
Left photo: Dennis Ffrench, Matron Emma Stuart, and Rebecca Shepherd. Right photo: Dr Jawad Sluiman, Rebecca Shephard, Ajay Purewal, Sushma Kaul, Sister in Charge, and Dennis Ffrench
Emma Stuart, Matron on Ward One, said it was a real boost to see the two in full pantomime dress.
She said: “It has been amazing for the patients. They have both created a fabulous atmosphere and really taken time to speak to all the patients.
“The staff have all been really excited as well and it has lifted their spirits.
“We deal a lot with health and treatment, but this helps the patients’ wellbeing, which is equally as important.”
Dennis said: “We have had a lovely time at West Park Hospital. It has been amazing to sit and talk to the patients.
“They have inspired us. It has been so lovely to hear all their stories about how the staff have been working as a family to uplift them and help rehabilitate them.
“It is such a great family atmosphere here which can only aid a much quicker recovery.”
ENDS
- For further information, please email amy.downward@nhs.net
