In 2020 we raised funds for some very special incubators to benefit babies born too early, too small or very ill – called BabyLeos.
The BabyLeos feature inbuilt weighing scales (so the baby doesn’t need to be lifted out so much); a special heating system to constantly maintain temperature; special mechanisms allowing the baby’s bed to be pulled out for parents to touch and hold their infant; they can even be lowered for C-section mums, play music and allow personalisation of colour, too.
In 2021 we purchased three BabyLeos for the unit – and had triplets as the first patients using them!
We launched the cancer centre appeal in 2018 to support the building of a new and dedicated space offering treatments and a wide range of information and support services to anyone affected by cancer, all within a comfortable and welcoming environment.
The new cancer centre brought together most treatments under one roof – where before cancer care is provided in three different locations on the hospital site.
We raised an incredible £1 million towards this building, which opened just before the pandemic hit in March 2020. This funded patient bedrooms, chemotherapy chairs, gardens and extra special equipment amongst
other things.
Thanks to funding from NHS Charities Together, we were able to fully fund the dedicated Staff Hub in 2021.
And now, thanks to charitable donations, we’ve funded a beautiful garden just outside the Hub, for staff to enjoy. Working with Chapmans Building Services, we’ve repaved the area, making it fully accessible, funded benches as well as planted trees and flowers in the space.
Our Lead Chaplain, Sarah Crane, who supervises the space with her team, said: “We know that rest plays an enormous part in wellbeing so I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to have the area outside the Staff Hub landscaped and picnic tables put in. I can already see people enjoying this space and I know it’ll make a significant difference to staff for years to come.”
Through charitable donations, we were able to fund the transformation of a courtyard garden into a beautiful and useable space, and give patients direct access from the ward.
Tracy Davis, Senior Sister on Ward 3 said: “A lot of patients on the ward have dementia or delirium and they can get restless, so having a courtyard that they can access to go for a walk, get some air and sunshine, or sit and have a chat is fantastic. It’s a peaceful, soothing area which is perfect for taking a break from the ward, which can be very noisy at times”.
The charity funds the curation and management of the hospital’s art collection as well as its courtyard gardens.
We have 420 pieces of artwork in and around the hospital, which bring great benefit to patients, visitors and staff. The art collection in the hospital plays a big role in improving the health and wellbeing of hospital staff, patients, carers and visitors, by not only enhancing the environment and providing a pleasing distraction, but also by presenting works that explore the intersection between health, wellbeing, ageing, families and caring, and hospital/clinical spaces.
We are also very proud to work with the charity Arts for Health MK, to manage five courtyard gardens; creating peaceful spaces for patients, visitors and staff to visit and take time out from the ward.
To help the remarkable staff working at MKUH, our charity launched an urgent COVID-19 appeal in March 2020.
During the COVID-19 crisis there was an unprecedented demand for our NHS services. Staff at the hospital worked tirelessly – often away from their families – to ensure exceptional care for patients was continually delivered.
The extraordinary outpouring of love that was given to our hospital saw us raising more than £180,000. This was spent on care packs for staff, staff wellbeing hubs, items to support staff when caring for isolated patients, iPads for virtual visiting and a staff room refurbishment programme.
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