HEALTH emergencies don’t stop for Christmas. We meet the Glasgow NHS workers delaying their own family celebrations to clock in at Scotland's busiest hospital.

The Nurse: Robyn McGregor

I’ve been a nurse for four years and have worked every Christmas Day. This year I’ll be in ward 8B of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Although you are away from your family, your work colleagues become your Christmas family – everyone bring in food, so we have a wee buffet feast.

Glasgow Times:

“My fiancé Conor is also working Christmas Day, so it works out well. I will need to sleep on Christmas Day as I am back on nightshift that night, but I am going up to Perth on the morning of the 27th to see my family and have another Christmas day with them.

That’s the joy of being a health care worker – you get to spread Christmas over about a week! For most people it’s over and one with in a day, but we learn to make the most of it.

Christmas Day is great and the patient all get a Turkey dinner, with a mince pie and cracker….

Most people would obviously rather be at home, so it’s important to make it as nice as possible for them and spread the Christmas spirit.

The Doctor: Euan Fisher

I'll be working on Christmas Day 9am-9pm and the same on Boxing Day

I have worked Christmas before so I know what to expect but this is my my first in the QEUH.

Glasgow Times:

It can be surprisingly busy. I will be in the Acute Receiving Unit, so you never really know what is coming next.

I’m not sure who I am working with yet, but we will get together on Christmas Eve to work out who is bringing in what for the buffet

After my shift it will just be off to bed for me as I am working 9-9 again on Boxing Day. I am off to Dunblane on the 28 to have Christmas with my family there, so that will be something to look forward to.

The Porter: Ruairidh MacRae

I work in the children's hospital and it's always a pleasure to work on Christmas Day. I have been a porter for twenty years so I have worked my fair share of Christmas days.

Glasgow Times:

The atmosphere is amazing and staff go out of their way to make it special. Santa comes round in the morning and all the kids get a gift, as well as a lovely Christmas dinner.

Come 4pm I will be off to my sisters, but there’s no guarantee they will have waited for me, it depends how hungry they get.

The Maternity Healthcare Support Worker: Michelle Cannon

I love my job, so I truly don’t mind working on Christmas day, it's part and parcel of the job.

I'll be working in the Maternity Assessment Unit, where women come when they are in labour.

I’m hoping for a Christmas baby this year. They are not meant to be born in our department but sometime they come very quickly! Babies come when babies come.

Glasgow Times:

Me and the rest of the staff are all organised for food. I am making the soup and someone else is bringing in wraps, cake, juice and breakfast.

After my shift I will head home to my husband and children who are 19 and 16.

Hopefully Christmas dinner will be all ready and a wee glass of fizz too.

They have also said they will wait for me before opening their presents, which is so lovely. I am also then off for four days, so can truly relax.

The Volunteer Driver: Jason Kelly

My job involves me making urgent deliveries for the NHS and I'll be on call for 24 hours.

It could be moving very specialist equipment or tests from one location to another or urgent medication out to patients.

Christmas Day often sees me delivering medication to people’s homes and they are always very grateful. I get offered a lot of mince pies along the way!

Glasgow Times:

I get to see people for a maximum of 5-10 minutes but they are always pleased you are there. There are lots of sweets, so Quality Street usually makes up my Christmas dinner.

Two years ago I had to go to Aberdeen on a delivery, so that took up the whole day.

I will celebrate with family on Boxing day so I get the best of both worlds.