On Tuesday 23^rd March, Dr David McCormick, Clinical Director of Child Health was joined by Paul Lawrence, Chief Barker of The Variety Club Children’s Charity and other colleagues of both the Hospital and the charity to open the Silver Birch Unit.

 

David Birchenall, whose walk from Gretna Green to Lands End raised the funds to provide the Unit, said: “I was most impressed and humbled to see the significant progress you have made since my last visit – not only in the physical property sense but more importantly in the number of beds and the sophistication of equipment. You are an amazing team.” He also paid tribute to Prof John Price, for providing the catalyst for his epic walk.

 

The visitors observed a demonstration of a complex ill-child simulator, able to mimic all vital signs in a sick child.  This will be used for the regular training of clinical staff, enabling them to improve skills in resuscitation and key clinical procedures in a safe environment, preparing them for rapid responses when a child becomes critically ill.

 

The Silver Birch Unit is equipped to carry out procedures away from the patient’s bedside yet close to the children’s wards. In the future it is hoped that certain procedures can be carried out in the Unit under general anaesthetic, without the need to transport the child to an operating theatre.

 

Dr David McCormick said: “It was an honour to meet David Birchenall. A separate procedure room has been something we have wanted for a very long time in the Variety Children’s Hospital. Thanks to David’s commitment and energy, we now have access to this very important facility”