The neonatal unit cares for 600 babies each year. Some are premature, some have infections or illnesses, some have breathing problems, others need surgery. As the centre of excellence for south west London we take the sickest and tiniest babies from Kingston, Epsom, St Helier and Mayday Hospitals, as well as surgical referrals from the entire south east of England.
We raise funds to purchase state of the art medical equipment, for specialist staff training, and for a family welfare scheme. Most recently we have raised funds to enable a 'emergency procedures' simulation programme to take place at St George's, and have just appointed a Family Centred Care Co-ordinator to work at the nnu, jointly funded by Bliss.
We are establishing a programme for bereaved families, including funding the annual memorial service at St George's and memory boxes for families who tragically lose their precious baby. We have just funded the first cooling mattress for the nnu. We have also provided funds for the designated counsellor for families at the unit to attend bereavement courses, to enble her to serve our bereaved families in the best possible way.
As a mum to a baby born at 27 weeks and cared for at St George's I am passionate about our cause. My colleague, Sonja, is a mum to three with a background in paediatric nursing, and we both work part-time for First Touch.
We are grateful for all support, and all donations make a direct impact on every one of the babies in our care each year.
