In the spirit of spreading holiday cheer, the annual Party Day celebration at The Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) today delivered great delight to children, young people, and their families unable to leave hospital during the festive season.
From Pac-Man to LEGO®, this year's theme of 'Games' saw wards, clinics, and departments transformed into a playground of imagination, as patients were transported from their hospital beds into gaming realms where reality and fantasy merged.
Healthcare workers moonlighted as their favourite gaming characters, with special visits from guests, including superheroes Batman and Spider-Man as well as Princess Anna from the big screen, along with local heroes from NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW adding to festivities.
Patients also received gift bags and enjoyed activities like balloon twisting and face painting.
Party Day is a heartwarming tradition celebrated across the Children's Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick offering a much-needed escape from the challenges of being in hospital during the holiday season.
The event is also a celebration for the dedicated healthcare staff who work tirelessly year-round to ensure children and young people across NSW receive high-quality and family-centred care.
Quotes attributable to Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:
"Party Day is an important day for paediatric patients and their families facing the challenges of hospitalisation during the holiday season.
"The annual event provides respite from medical routines, allowing children to enjoy a day of laughter, play, and festive spirit."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"It's heartwarming to witness the joy and excitement that Party Day brings to young patients, families and the dedicated staff at the hospital.
Quotes attributable to Member for Parramatta Donna Davis:
"Party Day is an opportunity to experience the magic of the holidays right here in the hospital and I'm proud to have been part of it.
"Seeing their faces light up with happiness is a priceless gift."
Quotes attributable to Sydney Children's Hospitals Network's Chief Executive Cathryn Cox PSM:
"Our dedicated staff go above and beyond their normal duties to transform the hospital and make the experience as positive and festive as possible for our patients and their families.
"We extend our gratitude to our staff, the community, and our partners who prepare for months for Party Day to make this event truly magical."
About Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) is the largest paediatric healthcare entity in Australia and cares for thousands of children each year both in hospital and in their homes - with one purpose in mind - to help children and young people live their healthiest lives. SCHN brings together the advanced facilities, expertise and services of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, the Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), Bear Cottage and Kids Research to provide the very best care for sick children and their families. With more than 8,000 staff, the Network is committed to providing world-class paediatric health care, furthering ground-breaking research into the causes, treatments and cures of childhood illnesses and investing in education and training of the health workforce to advocate for a healthy future for children in NSW and beyond.
