CHRISTMAS IN THE CAPITAL — AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE IN


30 NOVEMBER 2020 PROMOTIONAL CONTENT FROM THE ROYAL NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL


Christmas at home 47


Mr Panagiotis Gikas BSc, MBBS (Hons), MD(Res), PhD FRCS (Tr&Orth) Mr Gikas completed his medical school and postgraduate training in London and further specialised in Australia and Geneva on bone cancer and hip surgery. Mr Gikas’s clinical and research


Community, Christmas and kindness


Christmas this year, like many other things, may be a little diff erent for all of us, but it can still retain its magic. Orthopaedic surgeon Panagiotis Gikas off ers ideas for giving a bit back this festive season


2020 has taught us to pause, to stay home, to be kind to others, the envi- ronment and to create community spirit even in a city. Here are some ideas on all that London has to off er, to give back to others and to experi- ence new places, shops and restau- rants. With millions of peoples’ livelihoods aff ected by the theatre, shop and restaurant closures, giving back to your local community is key. T ere’s also Brexit, and perhaps the message that comes out of all of this is: love thy neighbour, support inde- pendent and local, buy British, and consider your environmental impact on the world as a whole. T e projec- tion of our high streets may look very bleak if we don’t do these things. One of the most magical expe-


riences in London is dinner and a show in the infamous West End. Everyone has seen how coronavirus has destroyed the theatre community and the hope is that it can all restart in 2021. During the Christmas period, there are a multitude of contact-free theatre shows, where the theatres have organised the auditorium into socially distant groups to enable the show to go on. Why not buy tickets to a Christmas show for you and your family or as a present for a friend? You’d be helping an industry that’s been decimated and providing your family with an experience they’ll never forget at the same time. You also can’t beat the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall or London Coliseum to create some lasting Christmas memories. Charities are facing signifi cant


hardships, with 94% facing fi nancial challenges as a result of coronavirus, and yet there’s rising demand for their services due to the pandemic. Many charities off er a multitude of stocking gifts, cards and wrapping paper, so perhaps consider buying these items from charity this year, in order to give back more. A great charity is the Skeletal Cancer Trust — it’s dedicated to the advance- ment of bone cancer research (skeletalcancertrust.org). A popular way to while away a day in London is to head to Hampstead


Heath. With more time spent indoors and many of us working from home, daily activity levels have dropped signifi cantly for the average indi- vidual. As the NHS recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic cardiovascular exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exer- cise a week, taking a long stroll in pastures new helps with cardio- vascular health, the ability to catch up with a friend and also improve mental health by reducing anxiety, improving self-esteem and social withdrawal. Being able to appreciate the nature around you in this beau- tiful city and the incredible views of London from Kenwood House and Parliament Hill — the highest point in London at 322ft. Some of the most precious


Christmas moments in the capital can also be the cheapest and a fabulous family day out. T is year, London’s lights are dedicated to the NHS and essential workers — if you know a coronavirus hero, you can nominate them to have their name up in lights. A fantastic wander through the streets of London observing the lights in Bond street, Carnaby Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, fi nishing with dinner in one of the city’s great restaurants. Kew Gardens knows how to put on a show and taking a magical walk through the Christmas Lights is a spectacular sight to behold. Expe- rience Christmas at ZSL London Zoo with incredible outdoor festive family trail experiences — it costs £1m a month to feed and care for the animals, so supporting ZSL over this Christmas period and beyond is crit- ical to its survival. Christmas isn’t Christmas without


certain traditions — carols being one of them. Attending Carols at the Royal Albert Hall or outdoor concerts at Fulham Palace, A Starry Night from Lambeth Palace or Trafalgar Square Christmas carols, which also helps raise money for charity. Lastly, if you can spare the time,


organise a road or community carol singing event where you can maintain social distancing, but


HOLLY’S ROLO COLLECTING MONEY FOR THE SKELETAL CANCER TRUST, RNOH CHARITY AND PETS AS THERAPY AT THE MAIN FOYER OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL


still interact with those that are vulnerable and socially isolated around you and bring them some joyous moments. Many of us have seen that homelessness is on the rise and there’s so much you can do this Christmas to give back, volunteering for Crisis or in your local soup kitchens, organising a food bank collection for your road/ community or shopping for mean- ingful gifts. Let’s hope with lockdown over,


everyone can get out and explore all that London has to off er over


Christmas. Eat out if you can at your local restaurants, book that special experience — this is the year to spoil yourself with dinner at that special restaurant. Life is too short, so try to experience all this city has to off er. Let’s come together and fi nd new and innovative ways of giving back to our communities, supporting the most vulnerable, caring for the envi- ronment and each other and keeping London alive. Warm season’s greetings and best


wishes for good health and happi- ness for 2021.


T: 020 7824 9364 E: panosgikas@icloud.com


hcahealthcare.co.uk/consultants/m/mr-panos-gikas E: katie@medicaladministration.co.uk E: integrumphysio@protonmail.com


endeavours have centred around hip and knee reconstruction and the treatment of bone and soft tissue cancer. His interests include the use of the anterior approach to hip replacement and custom- made (bespoke) instruments, as well as the use of robotics for knee replacement, the use of stem cells and cartilage techniques to address cartilage defects and the management of major bone and soft tissue cancer. He has presented on, and published widely on, various aspects of hip, knee and bone cancer surgery, and continues to lead clinical and laboratory research in these fi elds.


Holly Soper-Doyle is a clinical specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) in Stanmore Holly specialises in joint reconstruction and young adult hip issues. She has extensive experience, comprising 10 years NHS service, military rehabilitation at Headley Court dealing with complex trauma injuries, and sports physiotherapy for Premiership hockey, rugby, cricket and football teams, including both Chelsea football club and Queens Park Rangers. Her clinical interests include: hip dysplasia and young adult hip conditions, femoro-acetabular impingement, metal on metal hip replacements and rehabilitation post-hip surgery. Holly is an honorary clinical lecturer on the MSc in Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation course at University College London. As well as working for the RNOH,


Holly has her own veterinary and human physiotherapy business, Integrum Physiotherapy, based in North London. Since qualifying, she’s also worked as a locum physio for Fitzpatrick Referrals. She has a website dedicated to hip dysplasia hipdysplasiaphysio.com — and enjoys mentoring and lecturing on hip dysplasia rehabilitation. You’ll often fi nd Holly at the RNOH on the Sarcoma unit, with her dog Rolo, who she trained as a ‘Pets As Therapy’ dog.


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