Charitable donations fund FMU and scanner at Whittington Hospital

Whittington Hospital has unveiled its new second Fetal Medicine Unit (FMU) assessment room with a brand-new ultrasound scanner, funded by charitable donations.

 

Over 3,600 babies are born under the care of Whittington Health each year and around 2% require specialised fetal medicine care. Around 1,600 appointments take place each year in the Hospital’s FMU so the introduction of a second space and scanner will help to manage the flow of appointments for families who are experiencing a challenging pregnancy.

 

The bright and refurbished second FMU was originally an old storage room, and allows for a fully-equipped second assessment room. The newly purchased GE Vouluson scanner will be used on people expecting more than one baby, babies that are expected to arrive early, babies with suspected smallness, or a suspected congenital problems, with the scanner’s technology allowing clinicians to see more anatomical detail with greater certainty.

 

Funding for the FMU and scanner was generously donated to Whittington Health Charity by Campbell Lutyens, a leading global and independent private capital advisor.

 

Mark Dumbell, Campbell Lutyen’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer, officially opened the new unit in a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Whittington Health Fetal Medicine team, maternity staff, and Katherine Mobey from Whittington Health Charity.

 

The Whittington Health Charity has funded multiple projects at the Whittington Hospital and various community sites including the Tynemouth Road Community Health Centre and Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

 

Anna Lawin-O'Brien, Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine said, “It is a proud moment to open this second FMU room after two years of intense team work. This has only been possible thanks to the very generous donation made to Whittington Health Charity from Campbell Lutyens.

 

"The amazing team effort of Mr Marc Dumbell, the FMU team, Trust Project Manager Mr Eddie Herter, Clinical Director Mrs Helen Taylor and the wider team at Whittington Health lead to this success. Having a second state-of-the-art ultrasound machine means we are able to carry out more specialised fetal medicine scans for women and birthing people, helping us to deliver better patient care. Having a fully equipped second room further allows the establishment of our new preterm birth prevention clinic, as well as a dedicated ultrasound teaching.”

 

Marc Dumbell, Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Campbell Lutyens said, “I am delighted that our donation will have such a transformative and lasting effect for patients and staff in the Fetal Medicine Unit.”

 

Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager of Whittington Health Charity said, “Charitable donations like this mean we can go above and beyond what NHS funding is able to provide and enhance patient care.”