Our Christmas miracles: Healthcare staff reflect on standout experiences as December 25 approaches

Emergency heart surgery, cutting-edge epilepsy treatment, life-saving organ transplants, switching a cancer drug just in time, and a terminally ill patient finding hope — six healthcare workers share their experiences and memories

Dr Kieron Sweeney, neurosurgeon, Dr Ronan Kilbride, Professor David Webb, neurologist, and Dr Donncha O’Brien, neurosurgeon photographed at the Children's Hospital, Crumlin. Picture: Moya Nolan.

On Christmas Day, many healthcare staff won’t open presents or eat dinner — instead, they’ll head to hospitals and emergency units to keep services up and running. Very often, what sustains them are what could be described as ‘miracle’ outcomes, some of which occur at Christmas.

We ask six healthcare workers to share their thoughts and memories.