Kidney patients and their families were treated to a special day out as staff organised a trip to the cinema to see White Christmas.
The patients, who all receive renal dialysis at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, kicked off the festive season with the day out at the Waterfront Cinema in Greenock.
They were joined by family members or friends who’d been invited as guests, while 10 members of staff from the Renal Dialysis Unit also attended as volunteers on their day off.
The group had the whole picture hall to themselves to watch the Bing Crosby classic musical, and sweets were donated by local confectionary company Buchanan’s.
A total of 71 patients, staff and guests attended and the outing was paid for by donations and fundraising efforts by members of the local community.
Staff at the Unit organise Christmas days out for the patients each year, with the group having previously attended a local pantomime.
Patient David Wilson, 78, who has been receiving dialysis at the Unit three times a week for the past six months, went on the outing with his wife, and described it as a “great success”.
He said: “We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hugely appreciate the efforts of all the staff to arrange it.
“They always go above and beyond for the patients by organising things to lift everyone’s spirits.
“I had never seen the film before and it was really superb.
“The staff have also been busy decorating the Unit and it’s really impressive.”
Alison Hyslop, Senior Charge Nurse at the IRH Renal Unit, said: “We had a fantastic afternoon taking our patients out for a festive treat to watch White Christmas.
“Everyone told us how much they enjoyed it and with many of our patients being a bit older it was a trip down memory lane for some to see such a nostalgic film.
“Dialysis can be gruelling, with patients having to spend many hours each week having the treatment.
“This is just one of the small ways we can help keep their morale up and bring everybody together for a fun day out away from the clinical setting.
“The Unit often receives donations and fundraising money from local people and we are very grateful for the support of our community as it allows us to plan activities like this for the patients and their families.”