Yorkhill urges public to help raise cash for unique facility
A leading charity has launched a Christmas appeal to help the almost one in 100 babies born in Scotland with a heart defect.
Yorkhill Children’s Charity, working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, plans to use the money raised to buy a 4D cardiac scanner – one of three at the new Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) and the first of their kind in the UK.
It can diagnose and treat heart conditions more quickly and effectively, even in unborn babies.
The £150,000 scanner would be used at the RHC, which is the national provider of paediatric cardiology services in Scotland.
All children in Scotland with heart conditions are treated at the Glasgow hospital – with around 35 children scanned by the cardiac team each day.
Shona Cardle, chief executive, Yorkhill Children’s Charity, said: “Almost half of under-25’s in Scotland who die from cardiovascular-related issues are less than one year old.
Our home has changed, but our mission remains the same – to support Scotland’s families
“A heart defect is the most common problem a baby can be born with and we want to help families affected by this and give patients the best possible chance to win their battle.
“This state-of-the-art scanner will make a dramatic difference to the lives of patients at the Royal Hospital for Children.
"We work in partnership with the NHS – which is funding two additional scanners for the hospital – and deliver enhancements to the amazing service they deliver for young patients.”
The scanners will be used in three areas of the hospital – intensive care, the catheter laboratory and the main cardiology department.
They show the heart in 4D (a moving 3D image) which allows medical staff to see chambers, valves, vessels and other intricate structures with life-like clarity.
This can help to diagnose heart conditions in babies and children more accurately, allow for quicker action which could save lives and help staff prepare the best possible treatment plan.
And according to Dr Stuart Lilley, a cardiologist at the RHC, the new scanners have a major impact.
He said: “The new equipment is a completely re-designed digital form of ultrasound capable of imaging even the smallest of hearts. These hearts may be no longer than a centimetre and a half long and we have to image everything inside that.
“The scanners will make a huge difference. With them, we can be certain of the diagnosis and that is what the surgeon needs so there are no surprises when they start the procedure.”
For Yorkhill Children’s Charity, this year’s appeal carries a special significance.
Cardle added: “This is our first Christmas Appeal since we made the move from Yorkhill Hospital to our new home at the Royal Hospital for Children.
"And while our home has changed, our mission remains the same – to provide the support that benefits Scotland’s families.
“We’re at the heart of the new hospital and have already funded more than £5m in equipment and service delivery – including the £1m interactive play area and the Yorkhill MediCinema.”
Life saving work
TheLorimer family from Lesmahagow are backing the Christmas Appeal after enduringa tough time with newborn Hamish earlier this year.
Hamishwas born on 1 February at Wishaw Maternity Unit, almost two weeks past his duedate. But his parents quickly realised all was not well.
Mum Ailsa said: “We were ecstatic to finally meet our baby boy but it became quickly apparent that something was very wrong with him.
“Hamish was born blue and not breathing. He was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to help with his breathing. He had his heart scanned several times but they weren’t able to find any cardiac problem – at that point.”
During a live link scan between the hospital in Wishaw and the former Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, the problem was finally discovered. Hamish had an extremely rare, life-threatening congenital heart condition.
Immediately, it was arranged for Hamish to be transferred to Yorkhill’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It took over two hours to prepare him for the 30-minute journey.
Ailsasaid: “At just over 24 hours old, we were told that our boy was critically illand would need open heart surgery via bypass to save his life.
“The team that looked after Hamish in the NICU were extraordinary and managed to stabilise his condition. At three days old, still ventilated and paralysed from the drugs, we held our boy for the first time – a truly precious moment for both of us.
“Unfortunately, during a routine brain scan it was discovered that Hamish had developed a blood clot on his brain. He had had a paediatric stroke, either during his birth or shortly afterwards.
"Thankfully for Hamish the stroke was a small one and we were told it shouldn’t have long-lasting damage.”
