Media Release

 

February 2, 2011

 

20 years of Neonatal Intensive Care

 

The newborn babies currently in John Hunter Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit aren't aware, but this Saturday a birthday will be celebrated, not their own, but the NICU itself, which will mark 20 years of operation.

More than 1000 babies are cared for in the NICU annually, including extremely premature infants born as early as 23 weeks gestation, up to term infants with a variety of medical and surgical illnesses.

On Friday 4 December at 11am, Marriana (17) and John (14) Salem will make an emotional return to the NICU where they were cared for in 1994 and 1997.

Parents Lesley and George Salem will also visit with their children who were born at 28 weeks gestation. Marriana was 820 grams when born and John 1220 grams, a normal full-term child is approximately 3500 grams.

"It's a frightening experience having your newborn child in intensive care, when you look at them they are so fragile, like they wouldn't make the day," Lesley said.

"The staff in the NICU is what keeps you sane, the care they show the babies is unbelievable, they're always focused and keep you informed.

"I have an enormous amount of respect for them, they speak to you in plain English and I always felt that my baby was their number one priority," she said.

Director of Neonatology Dr Chris Wake has seen the NICU grow over 20 years into one of the busiest in the state.

"20 years ago we admitted around 800 babies per year, today that number is over 1100," Dr Wake said.

"We were originally a 28 bed unit; we now have 41 beds, with ventilator beds up from 8 to 12," he said.

The NICU receives admissions from throughout the Hunter New England Local Health Network Area and North Coast Area, up to the Queensland border.

This highly specialised unit now has 17 intensive care beds and 24 special care beds providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive specialty care to newborn infants.

 

Media Opportunity:

When:           Friday 4 February, 2011 at 11am
Where:         Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at John Hunter Children's Hospital
What:           20 years of neonatal intensive care, with a chance to view the specialised unit and interview the Salem family with Dr Chris Wake

 

Media inquiries:

Lucas Coleman - 02 4921 3844, 0407 895 101 (ref HNE-2480)