Walnut Ward is classed as a Level 1 Special Care Baby unit, providing support to babies born from 31 weeks’ gestation.  Babies born prior to this gestation or those who require more intensive support are stabilised on the unit and transferred out using a dedicated Neonatal transport service. With 22 cots, Walnut is the largest SCBU in England and with 3 cots available for babies requiring high dependency care, babies and families on the unit can expect a variety of care.  Care on the unit ranges from general observations, to treating low temperatures or blood sugars, to feeding support or providing minimal breathing support.  Little Buds aims to support both Walnut & the maternity services by providing the most up to date specialist equipment to ensure our babies and their families receive the very best care. 

This year Heidi and I hope to travel to Africa, to undertake a 5-day trek across the Sahara Desert.  Working on a neonatal unit with extremely vulnerable babies some of which are at their weakest point is a hard and demanding job which requires incredible strength and willingness to push on when the days are tough; described as challenging, unforgiving and life-changing this trek seemed the best way to show our support for the families in our care. On a daily basis we support parents as they deal with the realities of having a sick or premature baby whilst watching babies overcome some very difficult obstacles both of which have their rewards.  And being able to help these babies and their families with the knowledge and technology we have and being able to nurse them with the love and care we are able to give is something that is extremely valuable to us and therefore our aim is to raise enough money to provide new life saving equipment to the unit.   

High Flow Therapy, or Vapotherm is a form of non-invasive breathing support and is widely used in the neonatal setting.  Term babies may require this form of support for the first few days of life or for our more preterm babies this method is often used as a step down following more invasive therapy and may be required for days or even weeks as they grow bigger and stronger.  As a result, these machines are sort after on the unit and we would love to be able to provide 1 if not 2 for our future fighters.  The cost of one unit is around £4000 so we will be starting our initial fundraising target as this point.  Any additional units will obviously be a bonus and will enable Walnut to continue to provide the best care to the babies they care for. 

We would like to thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Becca & Heidi.