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24^th December 2010 

Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary, visited Alder Hey Children's Hospital on Christmas Eve to say a special thank you to staff for their dedication over the festive period. The Health Secretary met staff across the hospital and thanked them personally for giving up time with their families to look after poorly youngsters this Christmas.

During his visit, Andrew Lansley spoke to staff in Alder Hey’s theatre department before visiting the hospital's busy L2 Ward, Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit. He also met many patients and their families who unfortunately will not be home for Christmas this year.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “With the NHS so busy and with many staff continuing to work through the holiday season, I want to express my thanks to the staff here at Alder Hey and throughout the NHS for their commitment to care. Thanks to their hard work, the NHS has continued to provide quality care to its patients in often challenging circumstances. Their commitment and dedication is very much appreciated.”

“At Alder Hey today, I have been able to meet many families and young people who are greatly benefitting from the excellent care provided by the NHS. Unfortunately some of the young children I have met today won’t be at home for Christmas but it is very heartening to see the dedication of those who will make huge efforts to make Christmas as happy as it can be. As well as conveying my thanks and appreciation, I would like to wish all those who work within the NHS a safe and happy Christmas.”

Louise Shepherd, Alder Hey's Chief Executive said: "On behalf of all our staff, I would like to thank Mr Lansley for taking the time to visit Alder Hey this Christmas and see first-hand how we continue to deliver clinical excellence in all of our services. This has been a very successful year for Alder Hey in which we achieved best in class patient mortality rates, received the highest standards of risk control by the NHS Litigation Authority, developed new services and facilities for our patients, while continuing to deliver the highest levels of quality care. Alongside this, we have made fantastic progress in achieving our vision of a new hospital and we hope that Mr Lansley continues to support us as we aim to build an iconic world-class facility by 2014.

“None of our achievements this year would have possible without the commitment and dedication of each and every one of our staff who continue to deliver world class care in a building that is nearly 100 years old! I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their contributions and efforts during a challenging Christmas for the NHS and throughout a highly successful 2010!”