Following the terror attack on Manchester Arena, MedEquip4Kids launched a special appeal last week to raise £100,000 to ensure that hospitals across Greater Manchester have the necessary equipment to provide emergency treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care for children and young people in the event of such incidents.
We received an immediate response to our appeal, with longstanding supporters VINCI Construction UK donating the proceeds from their golf day. This meant we were able to provide an AccuVein400 vein illumination device for the children’s A&E department at Stepping Hill Hospital. This equipment helps clinicians carrying out venepuncture to see children’s veins which would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye, making the procedure easier and reducing the stress caused to children at an already traumatic time.
Dr Chris Cooper, Associate Medical Director for Child and Family Services at Stepping Hill Hospital says: “Having the AccuVein scanner makes it easier to find veins on a patient, which makes inserting a needle easier and less uncomfortable. This is particularly important for children in an emergency situation where time is critical to give life saving intravenous treatment. I’d like to thank MedEquip4Kids and VINCI for their generous donation of this scanner which will help us to provide better and more sensitive care for our young patients in the future.”
MedEquip4Kids Chief Executive Ghazala Baig says: “We were all so shocked by the devastating terror attack in the heart of our city. Sadly, many children and young people were caught up in the event, with some subsequently admitted to hospital with life-changing injuries needing long-term treatment and care. For the last 30 years, MedEquip4Kids has worked closely with hospitals in Greater Manchester to provide equipment not available from NHS funds. We want to offer our hospitals some extra support at this time to make sure they have everything they need. We hope the new AccuVein device will help the team at Stepping Hill to continue delivering excellent care to their young patients.”
Donations to the MedEquip4Kids Appeal can be made online or by sending a cheque made payable to MedEquip4Kids to: The Appeals Office, 90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GP. Alternatively, text KIDZ05 £5 (or your chosen amount) to 70070.