MACKAY’S smallest and most vulnerable babies will be given the best start possible in life thanks to a collaboration on the use of a new state-of-the-art cot for neonatal transfers to the Mackay Base Hospital from the Mater Private Hospital.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) Nursing and Midwifery Executive Director Karen Wade said the initiative was aimed at providing the best care possible for vulnerable babies.
“The neonatal transfer cot is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment to care for premature babies or any babies who need a high level of care who might be born at the Mater and need an immediate transfer to the Base hospital’s Special Care Nursery (SCN),” Ms Wade said.
“Every minute saved in transfer is of vital importance when a mum has had a premature or sick baby, and this new cot will give these little ones the best chance possible.
“This is a great example of our hospitals collaborating on care for the benefit of our most vulnerable patients.”
Mater Private Hospital Executive Officer Beth Thomas welcomed the initiative.
“The neonatal cot will be in place at Mater Maternity to enable these vulnerable babies to be transferred with minimum delay,” Ms Thomas said.
“This is the best equipment available for transporting premature babies, consisting of a temperature-controlled capsule, monitoring equipment, resuscitation equipment and its own power source.
“It then sits on its own stretcher so it can be immediately loaded onto an ambulance for transfer.
“The Base and Mater hospitals are always collaborating to provide patient care, but the sharing of resources takes that collaboration to another level.”
Nursing staff at both hospitals will be provided with training in the use of the cot by Special Care Nursery Clinical Nurse Consultant Louise Johnson, who holds a Masters degree in Clinical Nursing in Neonatal Intensive Care.
Today’s announcement coincides with World Prematurity Day, which is celebrated annually to raise awareness of our most vulnerable babies, their families and the clinicians who care for them.
