A health care provider has donated £250,000 to help families stay close to their newborns during critical care.
The donation from Bradford-based Sovereign Health Care has pushed the Bradford Hospitals Charity and The Sick Children’s Trust ‘Home from Home’ appeal past the £2 million mark.
The appeal aims to raise £3 million to build free, on-site accommodation for families with babies receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI).
Laura Riach, director of Bradford Hospitals Charity, said: “Sovereign Health Care is a valued partner and has been hugely supportive of our hospital for many years, committing hundreds of thousands of pounds to improving patient care and staff wellbeing.
“This donation brings us a huge step closer to creating much-needed additional bedrooms and comforting spaces for families when they’re most vulnerable.
“We are incredibly grateful for their continued support.”
The planned new building will include five additional en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, a peaceful garden, and play areas for siblings.
Only five bedrooms are currently available at the hospital.
Families who have used the NICU know how essential this support can be.
Annie Wise and her husband Matthew spent five weeks at the unit when their son Bodhi was born at 26 weeks, weighing just 920 grams.
Annie said: “Having a room at Bradford was invaluable – we are forever grateful.”
Neil McCallum, chief executive of Sovereign Health Care, said: “As soon as we heard about the Home from Home project, there was no doubt we wanted to give our support.
“Families going through the worry of having a baby in intensive care deserve to be close to their little ones in a comforting space.
“We’re all about improving health, and we know that having parents more involved in babies care means they have shorter hospital stays and are less likely to be readmitted.
“This project will make a lasting difference to families across Bradford and beyond for generations to come, and we’re honoured to play a part in it.”
The appeal has also received backing from The Harry and Mary Foundation, which contributed £1 million.
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Jane Featherstone, CEO of The Sick Children’s Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to Sovereign Health Care for this incredible contribution.
“It will enable us to help more families from Bradford and across Yorkshire by providing them with a vital place to stay.”
