In order to complete expansion there are several things that need to be funded by charitable donations. Here’s an example of the vital life-saving equipment needed by the unit and the facilities that greatly need improving in order for the parents and siblings of the babies in NICU to have a more comfortable stay at the ward.

Two Incubators costing £15,000 each – allowing staff to look after the baby in a controlled environment, monitoring aspects of his or her condition thus providing the baby with the very best chance of survival.

Two Baby Therms costing £7000 each – Baby Therms are pieces of equipment which keep the baby warm. Babies born prematurely and/or with critical illnesses use the majority of their energy on trying to stay warm. Through keeping them warm in a Baby Therm, the babies can use their energy on growth and recovery.

Two CPAP Drivers (Specialist Breathing Aids) costing £8000 each  - For babies who can breathe on their own but need that little bit of help, this equipment gently inflates the lungs and helps to keep them open.

Five Vital Signs Monitors costing £4000 each –used to detect a wide variety of conditions and therefore give the baby the very best chance of survital.

Play Room Refurbishment – Used by the siblings of the babies being treated on the Unit, the playroom is essential to preventing siblings from feeling bored and allows them to act in a similar way to how they would at home therefore allowing them to stay happy. With money raised through our ‘Cots for Tots’ Appeal we want to refurbish the Playroom making it bright, cheerful and welcoming to all children.

Parent’s Accommodation refurbishment - Families regularly have to travel great distances for their baby to receive treatment as the Unit is the regional centre for the entire south west. It is normal for parents from throughout Cornwall and Devon to have a baby treated on the Unit.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit’s Parent’s Accommodation and Bathroom is in urgent need of refurbishment. This would involve enhancing the environment of the 3 bedrooms in which the mother, father and siblings can spend on the unit, free of charge, whilst their premature or sick baby is being treated on the Unit, along with gutting and refurbishing the bathroom completely.