Alternative advent calendar: 18 December

Our advent calendar celebrates a dozen people or teams who have inspired us this year

Debbie Crossan, Manager, writes:

The many dedicated and caring NHS professionals I have met this year have all inspired me. In September 2016, my dad had a heart valve replacement and coronary bypass operation at England’s leading hospital for heart surgery. I met plenty of those involved in his operation last year, and was humbled by their skill and warmth towards patients and families. This year I have met (and heard my dad talk about) numerous others involved in his successful recovery. I am very positive about everyone who he has dealt with – from surgeons to community physios, and those who have helped create a community of patients recovering from similar operations. A group of about 30 such patients will be going for a ‘heart’ Christmas lunch together. They sound like a group who are very much full of life – which I hope will warm the hearts of the fabulous NHS teams that made this possible.