Two mobile telemetry monitors have been donated to Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre through East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s official charity, ELHT&Me.
One of the monitors was donated by Friends of Serenity, a local charity founded by Joanne Edwards in 2013 following the loss of her son Luke from Trisomy 13. The other was donated by the family and friends of Alice Hodgson in her memory, 'All for Alice'.
The monitors, worth over £16,000, are used to monitor the heartrate of the baby in the womb during labour. They are waterproof too, allowing the parent-to-be to move around the birth room and use the birth pool, without being restricted by wires or cables from a monitor. The monitors connect to a base which displays the clinical information for the midwifery team to use to ensure a safe delivery.
There is clinical evidence that mobility during labour brings benefits including shorter labours, less severe pain and less intervention. The monitors are now in place to be used at the Central Birth Suite at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre, on the Burnley General Teaching Hospital site.
Joanne, of Friends of Serenity, said: "We are over the moon to have been able to support the Birth Suite in the purchase of the monitors. As well as supporting our families through loss, supporting families in pregnancy is something we are also passionate about. We are proud to play just a small part in helping babies arrive safely."
“A huge thank you to Friends of Serenity and All for Alice for funding these monitors and for their continued support, in caring for women, and families experiencing bereavement and in subsequent pregnancies”, said Kathryn Sansby, Bereavement Midwife at ELHT.
“We are delighted to have received the funds to purchase these monitors, which will enhance the birth experience for parents-to-be in our care”, said Emma Heinicke, Community Fundraiser for ELHT&Me.
“The charity would like to say a huge thankyou to both Friends of Serenity and All for Alice for their contributions, and for their continued support of our maternity services. Fundraising for any area of care makes a huge difference to staff and patients, and we encourage anyone interested in fundraising to get in touch, by calling 01254 732140 or emailing fundraising@elht.nhs.uk”.
