Our Big Appeal Ambassador, Carole Joyce, shares her thoughts on the new QMC Neonatal Unit

We’re delighted to have as Ambassadors of our Big Appeal the England cricket legend Stuart Broad, and his mum Carole Joyce. Over the past year they have been supporting our appeal in raising money for babies and families who will be cared for on the new Neonatal Unit at the Queen’s Medical Centre.

It’s a cause close to their hearts, as Stuart was born eight-and-a-half weeks premature, and cared for in Nottingham’s Neonatal Unit for the first ten weeks of his life.

Last week, Carole visited the newly opened Neonatal Unit at the QMC, as well as the unit at City Hospital, where Stuart was cared for almost 39 years ago. Carole shared her moving thoughts with us, following her visit…

My first experience of Neonatal care in Nottingham was nearly 39 years ago when my very premature tiny baby’s life was saved; my second experience was last year wearing a yellow vest and hard hat visiting a construction site; my third was last week, at the official ribbon-cutting of the new QMC unit, a place that quite literally takes your breath away. And I was also lucky enough to visit the City Hospital unit on the same day, where my son Stuart was born, albeit in the ‘old’ unit.

My experience all those years ago was of one large room with a very noisy floor and no access to the incubator area except for mum and dad. Nowhere to sit or sleep in comfort for partners. Certainly no coffee machine! Treatment meant wheeling the incubator down corridors to other departments. My daughter Gemma’s first sight of Stuart was through a large window which prompted her to tell everyone that she had a brother and he lived in a cage!

Today’s unit at the QMC has private ‘rooms’ fully equipped with the latest technology for each baby. The floor is silent to walk on and a noise control system is in place to monitor sound levels. Lights can be changed, in intensity and colours, by families themselves. There are comfy chairs to sit on and rooms to stay in so that partners are on hand to share each minute, if necessary. The family room is beautiful, families can be together and enjoy food and drinks whilst siblings can play in the most wonderful ‘walk in’ playhouses complete with mini chairs and TV. My praise could go on and on….

But for all the wonders of technology, machines, space and creativity in the making of this new unit, something struck me as being exactly the same on all four of my experiences. The amazing staff…

When my son was born at the City Hospital all those years ago, I knew that I was amongst caring, kind and hugely competent medical people. Even in a crisis, I was made to feel the birth was a celebration, I was in a safe place for all those weeks. There was stress and tears of course, but smiles and laughter too.

When I visited the QMC as a building site last year, I knew that I was amongst the most professional project organisers and planners you could ever wish for. As a new father himself, Stuart was fascinated by the advanced technology ideas and the level of forethought given to the experiences of mums and dads beyond the medical needs.

On touring the newly completed unit last week, with babies and families now there, again I saw the most caring, kind and hugely competent medical people at work. They have wholeheartedly created a place of comfort and security, at a time of stress and uncertainty.

And on visiting the City Hospital later that day, I could see exactly the same dedication, kindness and exceptional medical care that I had received all those years ago.

I strongly feel that every birth is a celebration, even though that journey may not be the planned or expected one, and even writing these few words has reminded me just how lucky I was. I know many new mums who find themselves in need, now and in the future, will feel exactly the same.

Many of the special extras in the new unit have been paid for with funds raised by Nottingham Hospitals Charity. I mentioned the underfloor sound proofing earlier and I particularly noticed how beautiful the patterned glass space dividers are between the treatment areas, which were all funded by donations to the charity’s Big Appeal.

I know the charity is keen to add even more ‘homely’ aspects to the unit through continued fundraising - from the smallest of purchases to the larger projects, every contribution makes a big difference.