WISHH (Working Independently to Support Hull Hospitals)
By Your Side Appeal
Help support our 'By Your Side Appeal' to enhance the new family accommodation for the children's wards at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Story
Hull Hospitals are here, by your side when you need them, from the delivery of exceptional care, to supporting families and loved ones. They are a team we can truly depend on when we need them most. Many of us will have our own story to tell on how hospital staff have touched our lives and gone above and beyond to make a difference.
Each year, Hull University Teaching Hospitals provides care for approximately 49,000 babies, children and young people with a variety of health problems, conditions, and other childhood illnesses. They range from those who are critically ill and who stay in the High Dependency Unit for care with cancer, complex needs or other significant disabilities, as well as premature babies cared for within the Neonatal Unit. A number of these babies and children need to stay in hospital for an extended period of time, placing additional pressures on their families.
It has been a long-term ambition of Hull Hospitals to expand upon the provision of accommodation for parents and carers, which will enable them to stay close by the side of their child whilst their child is receiving treatment. The development project will double the existing capacity from four to nine family rooms. The WISHH Charity is asking members of our community, local businesses and fundraisers to get involved in this appeal to ensure the new rooms provided are as welcoming and comfortable as possible for families, to include furnishings and distraction items for siblings, making it a home-from home environment, during such challenging times.
Sister Anne Dalby of Ward 130 and the High Dependency Unit said, This accommodation will make a massive difference to the families of patients cared for on our ward and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, especially for babies and children needing longer term care and their families who do not live near the hospital. We provide care to babies and children from across Hull, East Riding and the wider region.
The new facilities will enable parents and carers to get a proper rest and a break in tranquil and comfortable surroundings away from the clinical area, yet still be close to their child. The psychological benefits it will provide for families, to be in close proximity to the ward, where a nurse can get them if they are urgently needed will provide reassurance and will have a beneficial impact on the overall mental health and wellbeing of families.
Donations can also be made via cheques made payable to WISHH Charity, posted to WISHH By Your Side Appeal, WISHH Office, First Floor Administration Building, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, HU16 5JQ. Donations can also be made via Bacs transfer, contact the WISHH team for further information hyp-tr.hellowishh@nhs.net or call us on 01482 622299.
The campaign launch has received a fantastic start with Home Bargains providing an initial sum of £12,000 in support. They have committed to continue fundraising across their stores in Hull and Scunthorpe.
Mike McDonald, Area Manager of Home Bargains said, As a result of the generosity of our customers donating their change at tills in our stores and our staff taking part in fundraising activities, we can make this fantastic donation to kick-start the fundraising for this great appeal. We are delighted to continue our support of this appeal and encourage others to get involved too.
Any amount large or small will be welcomed and help us achieve our target. If, however, you wish to contribute to a specific item, or sponsor a room this can be arranged. To discuss in more detail please contact Lisa Whitton lisa.whitton3@nhs.net or call on 01482 622299.
*Photos taken prior to the pandemic.
Funds raised over our target will be used to support babies, children, young people and their families across Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.