Corrie star puts the Fiz into launching appeal

Corrie star puts the Fiz into launching new In Your Hands Appeal

Coronation Street’s Fiz joined doctors, nursing staff and the Mayors of Rochdale and Oldham this week to officially launch The Pennine Acute Trust’s new women and children’s fundraising appeal. 

The ‘In Your Hands Appeal’ aims to raise £200,000 for new women and children’s services, including a new neonatal unit, which is due for completion at The Royal Oldham Hospital in December 2012.

Actress Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Stape on ITV’s Coronation Street, joined staff to let off 200 yellow balloons at the construction site – one balloon representing £1000 for the appeal target.

Ms McAlpine, who is from Greater Manchester, is currently in a storyline where Fiz’s new premature baby is being cared for in a neonatal unit. 

 The new purpose-built women and children’s super-centre at The Royal Oldham Hospital will involve a major new purpose-built four storey building, the refurbishment of existing wards, new delivery rooms, obstetric theatres, a paediatric theatre, maternity beds and a brand new Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. The unit will consist of 37 cots with 9 intensive care, 9 high dependency and 19 special care cots. It will also provide paediatric services with 40 beds.

 Once complete, The Royal Oldham Hospital will be one of three regional centres providing the highest level of intensive care to the smallest and most vulnerable babies.  It is expected that the new children’s and maternity service will treat approximately 8,000 children a year from the Oldham, Rochdale and adjacent districts, in a new state-of-the-art children’s unit.

 Funds raised by the Appeal will buy a variety of medical equipment for sick children and babies and help furnish and enhance the new facility for pregnant women, children and parents. The money will go towards the following equipment:

 

• Neonatal transport incubator - £55,000
• Ultra-sound scanner for early pregnancy - £60,000
• Specialist neonatal cots - £20,000 each
• Sensory room for children - £25,000
• Special lighting and music equipment for women in labour
• Enhancing the environment within the children’s wards and theatres

Ms McAlpine said: “Everyone would like to see better services for mums and babies and it's something that you might need yourself one day.

“I've been taking a good lesson from some of the girls here who have babies being looked after at the neonatal unit.”

Dr Bibian Ofoegbu, consultant neonatologist at The Royal Oldham Hospital, said: “This is a really exciting and important day for the hospital and for the Trust with the launch of its new charity appeal. This is the start of a journey towards developing new services for the women and children of Oldham, Rochdale and beyond. It is vital that the money raised through the In Your Hands Appeal is used to help us equip the brand facility and buy a range of medical equipment for vulnerable babies and also enhance the environment for women, newborn babies and sick children. 

“Once complete, The Royal Oldham Hospital will provide excellent holistic care for women, children and families and be one of three regional centres providing the highest level of intensive care to the smallest and most vulnerable babies.  With this development there will be significant improvement in the quality of care and facilities for women and children. This will enable families within Oldham, Rochdale and adjacent districts, to have their babies cared for by specialist neonatal doctors and nurses in a modern, purpose-built unit without having to travel in to the centre of Manchester.”

Jan Bolton, fundraising manager for Pennine Acute Trust and the In Your Hands Appeal, added: “We are challenging our staff and the local community to take the appeal in their hands and help us reach our target of £200,000. This will be a fantastic appeal and one we hope will be supported by local individuals and groups over the next two years.”

Vinci Construction Ltd, who is the lead building contractor for the new development, is supporting the new appeal through raising money in conjunction with MedEquip4Kids.

To donate to the charity contact Jan Bolton, fundraising manager, on 0161 9084497, email charity@pat.nhs.uk or visit online at www.pat.nhs.uk/inyourhands