The DM Thomas Foundation for Young People has donated £8,550 via Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) for equipment to support vulnerable babies and their families on the Charles Wolfson Ward for transitional care in the Rosie Hospital.
The grant follows voluntary fundraising efforts for the foundation by local people, including staff at Doubletree by Hilton Cambridge.
The Charles Wolfson Ward, which officially opened in April 2015, thanks to funding through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), enables families to spend time together when sick newborns require additional care in hospital. The funding has bought two baby cribs so that more babies can be accommodated on the ward, an additional specialised breast pump to promote successful breast feeding and a transcutaneous bilirubinometer – a non-invasive tool to painlessly assess the risk of newborn jaundice.
Keeping families together when newborns need to spend time in hospital significantly improves long-term health and developmental outcomes of children following a challenging start in life. Babies may be admitted to the ward for a variety of different reasons including: feeding issues, difficulty maintaining temperature, jaundice, or if they require intravenous antibiotic therapy. The new family-focused ward prevents separation, allowing parents to care for their babies while they receive medical treatment.
Barbara Moretti was one of the first mothers to stay on the Charles Wolfson Ward after giving birth to twins Mia and Alessia who weighed only 2.21 and 2.06 kilo respectively.
She said: “The opportunity for mums, like me, who have just given birth but haven’t had a chance to bond properly with their babies is something really special. My twins and I were on the Charles Wolfson Ward for 10 days and the experience was fantastic. The staff are more than lovely and helpful; they don’t only look after your child but they support you in every way, especially emotionally. I can’t thank the team enough.”
Simon Sheehan, Director of the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People said: "We are delighted to provide funding to ACT to support its vital efforts that enhance the care of newborn babies who need extra assistance. The purchase of the cribs and additional equipment will help make a lasting difference over time, to many families who find they need to access these services."
Amanda Cahn, Associate Director of Operations for Children’s Services said: “The new dedicated ward was designed to ensure the wellbeing of the entire family unit was at the forefront of delivering care to the sick child or baby. Unfortunately, during these difficult financial times, the NHS is unable to provide facilities of this standard without financial help. We are therefore hugely grateful to the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People for providing the funds that will buy equipment to help support and care for the 1,500 vulnerable babies on the Charles Wolfson Ward every year.”
Image: Barbara Moretti with her children and staff on the ward
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To find out more about Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust call 01223 217757, email act@addenbrookes.nhs.uk or go to www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk
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