Christmas roses add cheer to wards at Groote Schuur

Gift from the garden: UCT donated armfuls of hydrangeas to Groote Schuur Hospital on the eve of the Christmas weekend, bringing cheer to the wards over the festive season. Photographed at the presentation were (from left) head of nursing Maureen Ross, DVC Prof Crain Soudien, hospital CEO Dr Terence Carter, and Aloysious Gowne of the UCT public relations team.

It's the festive season and UCT's traditional gift of armfuls of hydrangeas, otherwise known as Christmas roses, went down a treat at Groote Schuur Hospital on 23 December.

Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Crain Soudien was at the presentation of the floral gift to the hospital's chief executive officer, Dr Terence Carter, and head of nursing, Maureen Ross.

Many patients will spend the Christmas weekend in hospital, many far removed from family and friends.

It is thought that the delivery of flowers to the hospital is a tradition that dates back to 1938, the year the hospital opened, and most likely initiated by the nursing staff who always decorate the wards over the festive season.

This year the nursing staff whisked the flowers away (it was a warm day in the Mother City) to distribute among the wards.