Premature baby 'Anne' makes a difference to North Devon hospital

When babies are born prematurely it goes without saying that they require specialist care, interventions and often surgery from specially trained medical staff.  These critical skills must be taught and practised to optimise results. The neonatal department at Barnstaple hospital recently took delivery of a very special piece of equipment, a tiny mannequin of a preterm 25-week old baby, known as ‘Premature Anne’ funded by our charity.

 ‘Premature Anne’ which costs £2500, enables staff to hone their skills including resuscitation techniques, intubation, and IV access used in general day to daycare as well as procedures when undergoing heart surgery.  ‘Premature Anne’ facilitates this training.

CEO Trevor Goodall said “I was delighted to be able to help after I received the call from staff on the neonatal unit. I have built very close relationships with suppliers over the years and can usually make the call, place the order, and deliver the item within a very short time.  I know how important this specialist equipment is to staff on neonatal units and what a difference it makes to their job and the care of these tiny premature babies.”

Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Janet Hutchins said ‘We are so grateful to Trevor and the charity for funding Premmie Anne for us. She will be put to very good use and will enable us to run simulations and training sessions with the multi-disciplinary perinatal team, which includes, midwives, obstetricians, paediatricians, neonatal nurses and theatre staff. She will also be used on SCBU to teach and train staff in some of the many tasks and skills associated with the care of a preterm baby. 

Thank you for all you do and for fundraising and helping units like ours obtain the equipment needed to care for our little patients and their families.’