News

‘Guardian angels’ staff commended for saving baby’s life - 24 February 2010

A neonatal baby unit that saved the life of a little boy has been highly commended after his mother nominated it for an award.

The Winnicott baby unit, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, was ‘highly commended neonatal baby unit of the year’ at the Mother and Baby Big Heart Awards this month.

Winnicott award pic( Pictured left consultant neonatologist Dr Sunit Godambe and acting modern matron Wendy Wong receiving the award)

 

 

Nominator Emma Green’s baby, Harrison, was cared for by the Winnicott after he was born ten weeks premature, weighing just 2lb 11oz. 

Winnicott baby picEmma (pictured right) said: “The unit saved my son’s life while he was in intensive care and gave my family the strength, courage and skill needed to nurse our baby boy through an immensely difficult experience.

“The staff are guardian angels disguised as regular NHS workers.”

Harrison had a condition that meant he had an extra valve in his heart, called a patent ductus arteriosus. Complications include reduced blood flow to the rest of his body and damage to the intestines and kidneys.

Harrison was put on a ventilator and needed a blood transfusion and treatment for jaundice during his four weeks at the Winnicott.

Emma praised the Winnicott Foundation, which supports the unit, saying it helps families ‘above and beyond’ what is expected of an ordinary NHS unit.

“Because of them, we were able to function as a family and spend as much time with our son as was humanly possible,” she said.

“He’s 17 months old now and a happy healthy little boy.”

The award, sponsored by the charity Bliss, was received by consultant neonatologist Dr Sunit Godambe and acting modern matron Wendy Wong at the Park Lane Hilton.

Notes to editors

  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust comprises Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea, St Mary’s, Charing Cross and Western Eye hospitals
  • It is one of the largest acute trusts in the country and, in partnership with Imperial College London, is the UK’s first academic health science centre (AHSC)
  • Interviews available upon request

ENDS

For more information please contact:
Saffron Pineger
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust press office
Telephone: 020 3312 1475
Out of hours: call 020 3311 1234 and ask for the on-call press officer
Email: saffron.pineger@imperial.nhs.uk