Birmingham hospital charities fundraise to help families of premature babies
Heartlands Hospital Charity and Good Hope Hospital Charity are launching an appeal to fundraise for two new Neonatal Support Workers
Last updated 17th Nov 2024
Heartlands Hospital Charity and Good Hope Hospital Charity are launching an appeal to help their smallest patients as they campaign to fund two Neonatal Family Support Workers
It's launch coincides with World Prematurity Day which raises awareness of premature birth and the impact it can have on families.
Each year, over 1,000 babies are cared for by the units at Heartlands and Good Hope. These babies can be born as early as 20 weeks and weigh as little as a can of fizzy drink.
The Neonatal Family Support Workers will help the parents of babies being cared for on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Heartlands Hospital and Special Care Baby Unit at Good Hope.
Their job is to bridge the gap between parents and the medical care their baby is undergoing, offering social and emotional support, as well as practical help and information.
Some of the babies on the Neonatal Units need help breathing, regulating their own temperature, and feeding, all of which can be incredibly overwhelming for their families. Actively involving parents in their baby’s care has been shown to reduce stress and help the baby improve and grow quicker.
Kate Booth, a Neonatal Support Worker, said:
“It is so important to me, that parents and families feel confident that they understand what care their baby is getting on our units, and feel safe taking their baby home. Having a premature baby is a very stressful experience and is a worrying time for parents.
"Being able to reduce that stress and fear by giving them meaningful help and information makes me incredibly proud.
“I think it’s great that the Charity is supporting us to help bring this sort of care to patients and their families. It’s very clear when speaking with the families the difference we can make, and I know that it means a lot to them that we are able to help. We couldn’t do it without their kind support.”
Charlotte Schofield, director of fundraising at University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, spoke in detail about the campaign:
"Having a baby at any time can be quite scary and daunting. However, having that baby early can be scary as the baby can be as small as a can of pop.
"Support workers will be there as a dedicated help throughout the day and night to support families when they need it most.
"Parents are also scared about bonding with their baby, especially if they are in an incubator. These support workers are there to show parents how to do that, and that they can absolutely still do that," she said.