Health Minister visits TinyLife

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has visited premature baby charity, TinyLife, in Carryduff.

TinyLife provides practical and emotional support to parents of premature and ill babies. The organisation is also committed to funding medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage.

During his visit, the Minister met with staff and had an opportunity to speak to parents and volunteers. He said: “The birth of a premature baby is not only daunting and traumatic for parents, but can also be a time of significant stress and disruption for families. TinyLife provide a source of guidance and support which is vital for all the family.

“The organisation also carries out important research aimed at ensuring that every pregnancy has the best chance of a healthy outcome. This is of course an objective shared by my Department.”

Michael McGimpsey said that his Department has been working hard in recent years to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to ensure the safety of all newborn babies, especially the most vulnerable and ill. He said: “I am committed to ensuring the delivery of the highest quality service to mothers, families and babies, within the resources available.

“Over the past two years, I provided additional funding to improve neonatal and paediatric intensive care services, as well as to increase nursing staff.

“My Department is currently reviewing neonatal staffing levels which will help assess the need for additional funding, and inform future decisions about service development.”

Notes to editors:

1. Formerly known as NIMBA (Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Action), TinyLife is committed to funding medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage, and providing information to professionals and parents-to-be to ensure that every pregnancy has the best chance of a healthy outcome and a healthy baby. TinyLife also offers practical and emotional support to ensure that parents of premature and ill babies get all the help they need.

2. In 2007/08, £800,000 funding was allocated for neonatal and paediatric intensive care services, which facilitated the introduction of a further neonatal intensive care cot in the Ulster Hospital and supportive nursing staff. In 2008/09 this additional funding also allowed for an increase in the nurse staffing at Antrim Area Hospital.

3. In 2008/09, £430,000 recurrent funding was allocated to the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital; funding an additional 14 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) qualified nursing staff, bringing the funded establishment to 81.8 WTE.

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