Harrogate District Hospital receives new lifesaving equipment

The Special Baby Care Unit at Harrogate District Hospital has received a new video laryngoscope to improve the treatment the unit can offer.

The new equipment will make it easier for staff to see inside the mouth and throat of their infant patients when babies need to be intubated. It allows for an inspection of the airways before the breathing tube is inserted.

The equipment was received following fundraising efforts by the Friends of Harrogate Hospital, who were able to raise over £11,000 in order to purchase the equipment.

Vicky Lister, head matron at SCBU at Harrogate, said: “We would like to give heartfelt thanks for the amazing video laryngoscope which was donated to SCBU by the Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

“This piece of equipment will help support doctors when intubating newborns and very young babies whose airways can be difficult to manage due to their small size.

“We are looking forward to making use of this equipment when the need arises.”

The Friends of Harrogate Hospital regularly organise fundraising events and campaigns and since its inception in 1966 have donated £2.25 million. Money raised helps to improve the experience of hospital treatment for both staff and patients and has seen them donate a new MRI scanner through to general medical supplies.

John Fox, chair of the Friends of Harrogate Hospital, said: “The Friends are highly delighted that after three years, we are back in action supporting Harrogate Hospital and its patients.

“We know the video Laryngoscope will be extremely useful to SCBU in a range of clinical circumstances involving premature birth babies.

“I would like to thank those who have helped to fund this vital equipment on behalf of the Friends of Harrogate Hospital.”

Back in December, Cleethorpes Golf Club made a donation of more than £8,000 to Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s official charity, The Health Tree Foundation, enabling the trust to purchase a Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA) for Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.