If you are interested in what it is like for our doctors, paramedics, pilots and fire crew to work over the Christmas holidays, Dr John Chatterjee gives a glimpse into the life on the frontline. Thank you for being a key part of our family and keeping our service running - we simply couldn't be here without you.

We’re wishing you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

What’s your role at London’s Air Ambulance? 

I am one of the Consultants, which means that I spend my time between delivering care as part of the clinical team and helping to train and supervise staff on secondment, as well as playing my part in helping to develop and shape the service towards the future.  

What does Christmas mean to you?   

My heritage is Indian Bengali and my family are Hindu. I was born in Lancashire and raised in Essex which means that for me Christmas has a big cultural if not religious context. For me it’s a time for family and friends and I have warm memories of the special days during my childhood, now I love to see the excitement of my nieces at having the whole family gather (and perhaps access to way too much sugar!) 

Dr John Chatterjee at the London's Air Ambulance helipad

What’s it like working at London’s Air Ambulance over the Christmas period? How is it different to other times in the year? 

London’s Air Ambulance is as much a family as it is a job, we look after each other and have been together for many tough and joyful times. I know that especially those on secondment and the overseas medics would have spent a lot less time with family than they’d like and, with the stresses of the job, it’s tough. But hopefully the team spirit brings some solace to the hard work.  

 Also for our patients and their families any time is a bad time to suffer injury or loss, but at Christmas it must be especially tough for them and the thought of being able to ease whatever we can brings some comfort.   

Normally the rest of the world slows down a little and London is a beautiful city with the Christmas decor and seasonal cheer, and it’s amazing to see the efforts people go to to spread happiness.  

How do you feel about working at London’s Air Ambulance over the Christmas period?  

The job is always a privilege. I’ve worked over Christmas in all my roles in the NHS, but like the rest of the key workers we have to keep the service running and it’s like a little secret club only we are in while the rest of the city gets time off. I am always pleasantly surprised at how kind-hearted strangers are to our patients and to our teams.  

Is there anything you miss or particularly love about working over Christmas? 

I have to admit to a weakness for eggnog lattes and pigs in blankets and crunchy roast potatoes! But Paul, our Driving Standards Manager, and Neil, our Chief Pilot, apparently say I’m not supposed to eat these in the vehicles......    

How do you think this Christmas might be different to other years? 

This whole year has been a trip into the uncharted. I’ve given up trying to predict what might happen, all I do know with certainty is that we will all try our best to do the best for those in our care.  

Recently, Dr John Chatterjee featured in our Picking Up the Pieces podcast. He sat down with Paramedic Steve Jones and Adam Kay, former doctor and author of This is Going to Hurt, to discuss mental health. Listen to their podcast episode on mental health here.

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