But even those feeling at their worst were given something to smile about on Christmas Eve, when carollers sang their way around the wards at Dunedin Hospital.
It raised the spirits of patients and staff alike and many joined in the frivolity.
And the bonus was the delivery of the annual Richmond Shilling.
The Richmond Shilling has been distributed to patients at Dunedin, Queen Mary Maternity and Wakari Hospitals since 1934, the result of a bequest from James Richmond, who was proprietor of Richmond’s Scotia Hotel.
The initial amounts distributed are estimated to have been about one shilling (10c), and it was the publican’s intent that the funds would be sufficient to purchase a beer.
The bequest is administered by the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust and this year, with inflation adjusted, more than 220 patients received $10 each — still enough to buy a beer, although it was not recommended by medical staff.
Surgical patient Carolyn Bayne said she was in hospital after falling over while gardening and destroying one of her prized rose bushes.
She was delighted with the Richmond Shilling.
"I’ll put it to good use — maybe I could buy a new rose bush."
