LEADING GLOBAL HEALTHCARE SUPPLIER PERRIGO, who has their UK Headquarters in Wrafton near Braunton, have donated an amazing £7,060 to the Special Care Baby Unit Appeal at North Devon District Hospital.
The money donated by the Perrigo Company Foundation, has been used to purchase two hotcots and neonatal warming mattresses.
Many babies admitted to North Devon District Hospital Special Care Baby Unit require extra help to support their breathing, keeping warm and feeding. These hot cots will enable the Unit to keep babies who have been born prematurely or with a low birth rate at the correct temperature so that they do not become cold quickly. The ‘hot cot’ has a special mattress that can be warmed or cooled according to a baby’s needs. Sometimes if a baby is admitted to SCBU because they are showing signs of being unwell and their ability to produce heat is lowered, the baby will be put in a ‘hot cot’ to ensure optimal temperature, so that recovery can occur more quickly.
Deputy Ward Manager & Senior Staff Nurse Charlotte Woollacott said “The new hot cots will mean we can give our newborn babies who have difficulties in managing their temperature the very best care.”
Over 1,600 babies each year are born to mothers who are cared for by staff at North Devon District Hospital and by midwives working in the community. The Special Care Baby Unit currently treats approximately 250 babies a year (which equates to approximately 1 in 6 babies born at North Devon District Hospital each year). Because North Devon is geographically isolated, it is vital for the survival of our sickest babies that the Special Care Baby Unit offers the very best care that it can.
Newborn twins Luka and Franklin are leap year babies, born on 29th February to Sarah Louise Beer and Craig Beer. Sarah said “The Special Care Baby Unit staff have been absolutely amazing in looking after our baby boys and we cannot thank Perrigo enough for donating the hot cots which are helping them get stronger.”
Perrigo Senior Leadership Team representative Perry Hopson has visited the unit to see the hot cots being used. Perry said “The Special Care Baby Unit in Barnstaple is a very special place and it was a local appeal that Perrigo were very keen to support. The Perrigo Charitable Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that enhance the health, well-being and education of individuals and families in communities that Perrigo serves. I was cared for in a special care baby unit and know how important the care of a newborn baby is at its early start in life”.
Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “We are absolutely delighted to receive such a generous donation from Perrigo. The donation is already benefitting our most vulnerable and poorly babies. Perrigo has been very generous to the Hospital Charity, raising an amazing £22,558 over the past five years supporting the building of the new Seamoor Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit and our Special Care Baby Unit Appeal.”