We launched our first ever crowdfunding campaign to purchase a second incubator for PICU

In 2018, we launched our first ever crowdfunding campaign to raise much-needed funds for a second incubator for Royal Brompton's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), used to care for premature babies who need an intervention for their patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Why did we need a second incubator?

Most of the time, shortly after a baby is born, a blood vessel that connects the two main arteries of the heart should close but when this fails to close that way, a medical intervention is required. This is especially common in premature babies, with around 50% needing intervention. 

Claire Buckle, Matron for PICU explains:

"We are so grateful to the Charity for our incubator. We are the only centre in the UK that does PDA device closures via cardiac catheterisation on such premature babies and having a second incubator means that we can admit more than one premature baby at a time. Professor Fraisse and Dr Bautista are therefore able to carry out this minimally invasive and innovative procedure on more babies.”

With two incubators, more premature babies can be treated using this less invasive method, avoiding open-heart surgery. 

Thank you to everyone who supported this life-saving appeal.