A neonatal care unit has landed an early Christmas present enabling it to take delivery of specialist equipment to support the treatment of premature babies in its care.
A £4,800 gift from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation will enable Whipps Cross Hospital’s neonatal unit in east London to offer an enhanced method of delivering care to babies born prematurely whose lungs are often underdeveloped.
The Vapotherm device delivers high flow nasal therapy to premature babies in the early days when they may be struggling to breathe due to underdeveloped lungs. High flow therapy reduces the work of breathing, and uses a comfortable nasal cannula rather than a mask to deliver respiratory support. This in turn reduces the fear among parents, enhances parent infant bonding and improves opportunities for breast feeding. The equipment should be installed and operational by the New Year.
Christine Fogarty, Matron, Whipps Cross Neonatal Unit explained: “Vapotherm ventilation is humane, developmentally beneficial, and makes parents happy because their babies are happy.
“The Vapotherm requires no restriction of the face and head, and is far less noisy than continuous positive airway pressure, the existing technology used, which has been compared to a jet airplane in an incubator.”
Aberdeen’s Charitable Foundation responded to a request from the Ickle Pickles Children’s Charity which raises funds for specialised equipment such as incubators and ventilators to help neonatal units provide incredible levels of care. Recognising stretched NHS budgets, the charity has purchased Vapotherms for other units and works with each facility individually to ascertain their current and most immediate needs.
Rachael Marsh, co-founder of The Ickle Pickles Children's Charity said: “Whipps Cross is the only neo-natal service in London which currently does not provide Vapotherm or similar high flow alternative to babies. By supporting our appeal, Aberdeen Asset Management will make a difference to many babies being cared for at this neo-natal unit.”
Lynda Affleck from Aberdeen Asset Management’s London charity committee said: “Ickle Pickles helps the smallest and sickest babies who need intensive care in Neonatal Units and we hope this specialised equipment will enable Whipps Cross Neonatal Unit to provide an even more incredible level of care for premature babies.”
Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. The main focus of the Foundation is around emerging markets and local communities, reflecting the desire to give back to those areas which are a key strategic focus of the business and to build on the historic pattern of giving to communities in which Aberdeen employees live and work.
For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home.