Angels delight as children’s unit officially opened (From York Press)

Angels delight as children’s unit officially opened

10:10am Monday 13th October 2008

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DOORS to the new Guardian Angels children’s unit at York Hospital were officially opened at the weekend as The Press’ three-year appeal came to an emotional climax.

Soap star John Middleton, who plays the Rev Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale, did the honours by cutting a ribbon and unveiling a commemorative plaque.

More than 100 children, parents, fundraisers and hospital workers joined in the celebrations on the children’s ward.

It was the culmination of three years of hard work by thousands of people who have rallied round to raise £300,000 to fund a new high-dependency unit for children in the city.

Dominic Smith, clinical director of the children’s ward, said the new unit had transformed the face of paediatric care at York Hospital.

He said: “I think everyone will appreciate that having a young and small child with an acute illness is one of the worst experiences a family can go through.

“So to have the confidence of going into a room that looks state-of-the-art with all the facilities at hand is absolutely brilliant.

“We have been using the new facilities for the past six weeks and have already treated 24 children – children with serious illnesses who have to be treated urgently with all the equipment ready to use. The new unit has made a fantastic difference to the quality of care we can provide and I’d like to thank everybody who has contributed to it.”

Mr Middleton, who also took time to meet children being treated on the ward, said he was delighted to be invited to the unit’s grand opening. He said: “I get invited to quite a few events like this and one has to pick and choose – but this event picked itself for one very simple reason.

“I have got two sons. The eldest is 28, but when he was two he contracted something very rare called epiglottitis and if it wasn’t caught in time, if the surgeons hadn’t worked very quickly, he would have died.

“It was vital that he was treated in our local hospital because the rapidity saved his life.

“For this high dependency unit to be local for the people of York is fantastic, and I congratulate you all for the money you have raised.”

Francine Clee, assistant editor at The Press, said she had been “absolutely astonished” by the commitment readers had shown to the appeal.

She said: “Three years ago when we sat down in the hospital and decided that what we wanted to do was create a Guardian Angels high-dependency unit for children with the target as £300,000, it seemed to be insurmountable.

“I had no idea that the people in York would respond like they have and the whole community would rally round.

“When it began to take shape and we started to see children being treated here, I have never had such a feeling of absolute delight in something that has been connected to my work and I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

WHAT YOUR MONEY HAS BOUGHT:

Two rooms, purpose built to standards for high dependency care, and equipped with: • Two vital signs monitors to monitor heart rate and blood pressure • Eight paediatric syringe drivers to give continuous medication intraveneously • Four infusion pumps to give fluids intraveneously • Three humidifiers to assist children with • Two observation storage trolleys for emergency equipment • Two computers • Two cots and beds • One resuscitaire, which is a heated cot with vital oxygen and ventilation facilities for babies • One Cpap ventilator machine for babies • Two examination lights • An alarmed drugs cabinet • Furnishings.

HOW YOU DID IT:

October 11, 2005: Official launch of appeal.

August 25, 2006: The Press hands over the first £35,000 to York Hospital’s children’s ward.

October 10, 2006: The appeal reaches £91,600 and we celebrate its first birthday by sharing cake with shoppers at York’s Designer Outlet and rattling tins at York City’s home game.

May 15, 2007: Halfway there, as we sail through the £150,000 milestone.

May 31, 2007: The Hospital Heartbeat Appeal donates £23,000 to buy two vital signs monitors.

October 10, 2007: The appeal crashes through the £200,000 barrier just in time for its second birthday celebrations.

April 25, 2008: London Marathon runner Karen Hardcastle hands over £12,500 to buy a Cpap ventilator machine for babies.

April 29, 2008: Building work starts.

August 9, 2008: The Guardian Angels children’s unit is ready to start treating patients.

September 11, 2008: One month to the grand opening – £15,000 to go!

October 3: Thousands of pupils at four York schools join together for a non-uniform day, raising £3,500.

October 7: A £1,000 cheque for the Pike Hills Golf Club in York tips us over the £300,000 target.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

The focus will be on staff training to make sure they are kept up-to-date with the current standards of care for treating high-dependency children.

Equipment will also have to be replaced as it becomes worn and extra facilities might be needed to keep up with medical advances.

If you are waiting to pay money into the fund or have an event arranged, don’t worry. Any cash still to be collected will go to the unit and help with running costs.

Further Guardian Angels articles>>

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