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Author: sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s charity begins partnership with Stock Shop at hospital store

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has partnered with clothing and gift store, The Stock Shop, to help raise funds and make Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals even better for patients.

The store, based in the main concourse at Addenbrookes Hospital, has now pledged to fundraise for its local NHS charity, ACT, following a year of fundraising for NHS Charities Together nationally during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The shop is now stocking the charity’s branded merchandise such as coffee cups, water bottles, tote bags and T-shirts. All profits from the sale of these items will help the charity to fund cutting edge equipment, innovative projects, and pioneering research that will transform the hospital and change people’s lives.

Store staff will also help to spread the word about how the charity supports patients, their families, and colleagues at the hospital. One member of The Stock Shop team, Tracy Hall, has made a pledge to raise £1000 towards the £1.5 million that Addenbrooke’s needs to buy a surgical robot, by walking for 1000 minutes. Tracy is also holding a raffle in the gift store of the main concourse, giving people the chance to win some fantastic prizes to help raise additional funds towards her £1000 target.

Louise Wells, The Stock Shop Merchandising Manager, said: “Stock Shop stores across the country helped to raise thousands of pounds for NHS Charities Together during the Covid-19 pandemic. My colleagues at the Addenbrooke’s store are now excited to stock the official ACT merchandise, and incredibly proud to focus our fundraising activities on our local NHS charity, so we can give something back to the patients, their families, and hospital staff who shop in our store.”

She added: “It’s great to be part of the hospital community, and we hope our support for the charity will strengthen our relationship with staff and inspire more customers than ever before to donate.”

The Stock Shop will also be supporting the charity by donating all the funds raised from the sale of their sustainable and recyclable carrier bags, and customers will be encouraged to add a small donation to their transaction.

In addition, as a thank you to the NHS, The Stock Shop is now offering a 20% discount to Addenbrooke’s staff in both their clothing and gift store in the hospital (exclusions apply).

More items are available to purchase on ACT’s online shop at helpyourhospital.co.uk/shop

ACT scoops accolades at fundraising awards ceremony

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk
ICU staff wellbeing room

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is delighted to announce that The ALBORADA Trust has won Grant Giver of the Year for its partnership with the charity at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising East Anglia Region Awards.

The ALBORADA Trust’s support in funding a wellbeing room during the pandemic meant that staff under pressure in the ICU could take a much-needed break. The Trust also funded vouchers for staff, a staff hardship fund and care packages for those working on the frontline.

ACT was equally thrilled to be named as runners up for Corporate Partnership of the Year with Ely-based nutritional ingredients supplier, Cambridge Commodities, who raised over £76,000 in funds that directly supported patient care and staff wellbeing, whilst generating an additional £200,000 worth of gifts in kind – donated by their global suppliers and customers.

ACT fundraising volunteers Jodie Rowlandson (Team Max) who has raised over £70,000 to date for children with cancer and other life-limiting diseases, and Kirsten Bailey, who has fundraised for the hospital that has provided care for her since the age of 14, both received ‘Highly Commended’ for the Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year category.

The honours were announced at a virtual awards ceremony last Thursday evening with the focus on how charities adapted to the pandemic over the last 15 months. The hard work, dedication, and determination that charities and supporters have made was recognised, as well as the remarkable achievements made by fundraisers and funders.

Gemma Downham, ACT’s Director of Fundraising, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that The ALBORADA Trust has won Grant Giver of the Year for its partnership with us and that we were named as runners up for Corporate Partnership of the Year with Cambridge Commodities. Huge congratulations are also due to our tireless volunteer fundraisers, Jodie and Kirsten for their commendations. We are so grateful to all our incredible supporters who have done so much for our amazing hospital during the pandemic. I am so proud of our hard-working, inspiring team who worked so hard to raise £1.2M in six weeks to support our hospital staff, and patients, through Covid-19. These awards couldn’t be more well deserved.”

Jeremy Richardson OBE, Director of The ALBORADA Trust, said: “The ALBORADA Trust moved quickly upon the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic to assist staff under pressure in the ICU. We were able to provide funds for a ‘wobble’ or well-being room to enable ICU staff to take a much-needed break without ‘donning and doffing’. In addition, the Trust was pleased to fund vouchers for staff, a staff hardship fund and care packages for those working on the frontline, containing hand cream and sleep spray.

We’re delighted to have been recognised for our work over the past year and pleased to have been able to help those treating Covid-19 patients, and for whom we have the utmost admiration.”

For more information on how the charity helps make Addenbrooke’s even better, please visit helpyourhospital.co.uk.

Take part in ACT’s ‘1,000 Challenge’ and raise £1,000 to help fund a new surgical robot

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has launched its new ‘1,000 challenge’, encouraging the public to fundraise £1,000, either individually or as a group, towards its £1.5m appeal to buy a new surgical robot for the hospital.

Robot-assisted surgery is a form of keyhole surgery involving small incisions. The surgeon operates on the patient by controlling a computer-enhanced robot, mimicking the surgeon’s hands and wrist movements, and allowing absolute precision. For patients, this means smaller incisions, faster healing and recovery times, and that patients can be discharged from hospital within a matter of days, not weeks.

However, Addenbrooke’s currently only has one robot which is dedicated to treat kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer patients. Funds raised by the 1,000 Challenge will help fund another surgical robot, revolutionising patient care across six specialties in the hospital and improving outcomes for over 1,500 additional patients every year.

The 1,000 Challenge asks you to come up with something you can do 1,000 times to raise £1,000. It could be running or cycling 1,000km, walking 1,000 steps in your lunch hour for a month, baking and selling 1,000 cupcakes, gaming for 1,000 Minecraft days, or even giving up something for 1,000 hours. Whatever your 1,000 Challenge, the charity needs your support.

Anybody who pays in fundraising of £1,000 or more before 31 October 2021 will have an opportunity to dedicate a name to be displayed on the Robot Appeal 1,000 Challenge web page.

Emily Willdigg, ACT’s Community Relationships Lead, said: “It costs approximately £1,000 per patient to provide robot-assisted surgery at Addenbrooke’s. By getting together with colleagues, friends and family and supporting our 1,000 Challenge, you will be enabling one person to have even better surgery.”

The challenge is also a great way for businesses to get involved with their teams in making Addenbrooke’s even better for patients, especially if they can match fund the money raised by their staff. James Stevens, Cambridge Commodities CEO, said: “We have supported Addenbrooke’s for many years and we are not about to stop now! Robotic surgery has so many positives for patients undergoing surgery, and we at Cambridge Commodities will definitely be trying our best to help Addenbrooke’s achieve its goal.”

Will you take the Addenbrooke’s 1,000 Challenge, raise £1,000 to help buy the hospital a surgical robot and improve the outcome and recovery from surgery for thousands of patients?

Visit our website to find out more.

‘Buy Addenbrooke’s a Robot’ appeal launched by hospital charity to change the lives of thousands of patients

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk
  • £1.5m appeal launched to buy new surgical robot for Addenbrooke’s hospital
  • Following robot-assisted surgery, patients can be discharged from hospital within a matter of days, not weeks
  • Incisions made using robotic surgery are much smaller, reducing the risk of complications and infection, minimising pain and discomfort
  • Robot will help improve patient outcomes for urology, gynae-oncology, gynaecology, lower GI (gastrointestinal tract), ENT (ear, nose and throat) and HPB (Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary – diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tree).

A £1.5 million appeal to buy a surgical robot for Addenbrooke’s Hospital has been launched by its charity, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). A new surgical robot will mean quicker, less invasive surgery and faster healing and recovery times for patients.

Robotic surgery is a form of keyhole surgery involving small incisions where the surgeon operates on the patient by controlling a computer-enhanced robot, mimicking the surgeon’s hands and wrist movements, and allowing absolute precision.

The large 3D view of the patient’s organs enables surgeons to perform many types of complex procedures with enhanced vision, greater precision, flexibility, and control than is possible with conventional techniques.

The benefits of robotic surgery for patients are immense and can change patients’ lives. It can take months to recover from traditional, ‘open’ surgery but incisions made using robotic surgery are much smaller, reducing the risk of complications and infection, minimising scarring, pain and discomfort and helping patients recover and return home more quickly. Following robot-assisted surgery, patients can be discharged from hospital within a matter of days, not weeks.

However, Addenbrooke’s currently only has one robot which is dedicated to treat kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer patients. ACT’s new appeal will help fund another surgical robot, revolutionising patient care across six specialties in the hospital including urology, gynae-oncology, gynaecology, lower GI (gastrointestinal tract), ENT (ear, nose and throat) and HPB (Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary – diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tree) and improving outcomes for over 1,500 patients every year.

One of the specialty areas that will benefit is head and neck surgery which can be very invasive and where some tumours are difficult to reach. A surgeon operating a robot would be able to access the tumour through the mouth and with precision meaning that patients regain the ability to swallow much more quickly, have minimal scarring, can eat and drink without help, and need less ongoing treatment following their operation. ACT’s campaign to buy a surgical robot could help ENT patients get back on their feet much sooner after an operation.

Ms Ekpemi Irune, ENT, Head & Neck Consultant at Addenbrooke’s, said: “Head and neck cancer surgery can be very invasive. Sometimes a tumour in the back of the mouth or throat cannot be easily reached so the surgeon may have to split a patient’s jaw so they can get to the tumour. The patient has to recover in hospital for several days and they can go on to develop long term problems with bone healing, chronic pain, etc. This can be very distressing for patients. A surgical robot would be able to access tumours through the mouth with precision.”

Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology, Krishnayan Haldar, said: “Using robotic assisted surgery has an advantage over current laparoscopic surgery, because it can help us to provide much finer dissection. For example, the surgeon can preserve the nerves to the bladder and bowel during a radical hysterectomy – a nerve sparing procedure. The results are much better for the patient’s quality of life post-surgery… And it has been proven that post- surgery, pain is reduced because the movement and pulling of skin around the entry point is reduced. Some patients can be discharged on the same day; having a hysterectomy in the morning and leaving the hospital that evening because the incision is so small.”

Three years ago, Jenny Arnold who lives in Cambridge was treated for oral cancer using robotic surgery at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital. She said: “It was really awkward for my family to come and visit me because they’re from Worcester. If I’d been at Addenbrooke’s my family could have stayed over at my house. It was just very traumatic being in an unfamiliar place in unfamiliar surroundings and being so far away from everybody. Only my family could visit and not my friends as it was just too far for them to come. She added: “If Addenbrooke’s had had a robot, it would have been so much easier for me and my family.”

Shelly Thake, ACT’s CEO, said: “We hope we can once again call upon our incredible supporters to get behind our new robot appeal. With the pressures caused by COVID, the hospital needs our help to get its surgical programme moving again and to deliver the quickest, safest surgery possible. The robot will enable surgeons and their teams to operate on more patients, from people with pancreatic cancer to gynaecology patients, enabling them to recuperate faster and get home to their families more quickly.”

Help ACT buy a robot and change the lives of thousands of patients every year.

To find out more or to donate or fundraise please visit www.helpyourhospital.co.uk/robot 

Inspiring artwork celebrating the late Sir Michael Marshall unveiled at Addenbrooke’s

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Artwork featuring the inspiring words of a poem read at the funeral of Sir Michael Marshall has been unveiled in the main ground floor corridor at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Sir Michael was a great friend and supporter of Addenbrooke’s Hospital as well as the President of its charity, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), for almost 20 years. He was also President of Marshall of Cambridge.

Sir Michael took a keen interest in the Emergency Department at Addenbrooke’s and introduced the Sir Arthur Marshall Award for Improvement in Emergency Medicine, in recognition of his father. This Award ran for several years and supported staff in A&E to innovate and improve patient care.

The new artwork at the hospital was created by artist Amelia Huw Morgan MA RCA FHEA, senior lecturer in illustration at Cardiff School of Art & Design.

Short fragments of text, such as ‘take time to love, and be loved’ float across four metres of wall, and a plaque next to the artwork reads: “In tribute to Sir Michael Marshall, a dynamic force for good, 1932 – 2019. Devoted friend of our hospital, an ardent supporter of our Emergency Department and President of Addenbrooke’s Charity for almost 20 years.”

Amelia said: “The Take Time commission has been a marvellous opportunity to focus on hope, wonder and joy in the everyday and to reflect Sir Michael Marshall’s ‘dynamic force for good’. I believe in the power of images to transform our experiences, to make an impact in perhaps perceivably invisible ways. I wanted to take the important words from the poem and form them flocking towards a kiss, a kiss to the world – a tender, loving kiss of humanity.”

Natalie Ellis, Head of Arts at Addenbrooke’s, said: “We chose to take the Take Time text as our starting point, as this old English prayer was read at Sir Michael’s memorial service, and the powerfully poignant words lend themselves so well to artwork, and certainly resonate in the challenging times we currently find ourselves in.”

CUH Arts is the hospitals’ arts programme, dedicated to transforming the hospital experience, promoting wellbeing and inspiring hope through creativity. Supported by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, it delivers a year-round programme of arts activities, events and exhibitions, as well as getting involved in the design of new patient-facing areas, helping to relax and warm the clinical environment.

The hospital has over 4,000 pieces of artwork including from Damien Hirst and Quentin Blake as well as hosting other types of art including Dance for Health, CUH Arts’ flagship project, weekly creative movement & music group sessions for adult patients.

To find out more about the service or to donate please visit www.helpyourhospital.co.uk/arts.

Other New

ACT helps fund clinical trial for high risk kidney patients

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

(Kidney Research UK press release)

UK researchers are launching a clinical trial to investigate if the drug niclosamide, usually used to treat tapeworms, can prevent Covid-19 infection in vulnerable, high risk kidney patients and reduce the number of people who become seriously ill or die from it.

If the charity and industry-funded trial is successful, it may pave the way for a new treatment to prevent or alleviate the impact of Covid-19 in people on dialysis, people who have had a kidney transplant, and people with auto-immune diseases affecting the kidneys such as vasculitis who require treatment to suppress their immune system. The treatment will last up to nine months.

Led by scientists from the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Cambridge, the trial will start in Cambridge with a plan to expand to other UK healthcare centres. It will recruit at least 1,500 kidney patients, who will be randomised to receive either a placebo (or dummy) drug, or UNI911 (niclosamide) as a nasal spray, both provided by the manufacturer UNION therapeutics, in addition to all their usual treatments.

The news comes as the coronavirus vaccine is being rolled out across the country but amid concerns over virus mutations and limited data regarding the effectiveness and durability of vaccine response in kidney patients. Participants can receive the vaccine and still take part in this trial, which will identify whether niclosamide can protect people from the virus either on its own, or in combination with any of the vaccines currently available.

Niclosamide has been re-formulated into a nasal spray so it can be delivered directly to the lining of the nasal cavity, like a hayfever spray. In the trial, people will take one puff up each nostril twice a day, as this is the part of the body where the virus can take hold. This ‘local’ drug delivery is likely to reduce the chances of people experiencing any side effects.

Usually used to treat intestinal worms and taken as a tablet, niclosamide has shown real promise in the lab. Early tests revealed niclosamide could stop SARS-CoV-2 multiplying and entering cells of the upper airways.

Professor Jeremy Hughes, kidney doctor and chair of trustees at Kidney Research UK, one of the charities funding the trial, said: “We must do everything we can to protect kidney patients, who are at serious risk from Covid-19. Sadly, one in five kidney patients receiving dialysis in hospital or who have a kidney transplant and tested positive for the virus died within four weeks. Many of those on dialysis are having to put themselves at risk and attend their renal unit for life-saving dialysis treatment several times each week. And those who have had a kidney transplant must continue taking their immunosuppressant drugs, despite these making them more susceptible to infection. In the UK alone, round 64,000 people receive dialysis treatment or have had a kidney transplant2 – that’s enough people to fill the O2 stadium three times over.”

He continues: “The vaccine roll-out can’t come fast enough – kidney patients should have the vaccine, as soon as they are offered it. We hope this trial will add an extra layer of protection for kidney patients in the future. It could even reveal a way to prevent Covid-19 in other vulnerable people.”

He explains: “This trial shows why funding research into kidney disease is so important right now. Committing funds to this trial was a challenge for Kidney Research UK. Like so many other charities, our income this year has been badly impacted, and has dropped by 50% but the PROTECT-V trial, and the patients it aims to help, could not wait. We are delighted to be partnering with others to make this crucial research a reality. Kidney patients need our work to continue, now more than ever.”

Dr Rona Smith, senior research associate at the University of Cambridge and honorary consultant nephrologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, who is leading the UK study, said: “It is vital that we find a way to protect patients on haemodialysis and other high-risk kidney patients from catching SARS-CoV-2 and developing Covid-19. If they get it, they are more likely to fall seriously ill or die, and we need to find a way to change that.”

She continues: “A number of existing trials are searching for an effective Covid-19 preventative treatment, but patients with impaired kidney function are largely excluded, despite being so vulnerable to the disease. Patients should have the vaccine wherever possible, which will give them a level of protection against the virus.”

She explains: “But we believe testing niclosamide is particularly important for people who are immunosuppressed and have kidney disease, because their immune responses to vaccines can sometimes be less effective. While the vaccine will offer a level of protection, niclosamide may provide further protection against Covid-19 that doesn’t rely on the immune system mounting a response.”

She adds: “If successful, our innovative trial could mean that the treatment becomes available to kidney patients more widely within months. It would mean they could receive their regular life-saving dialysis or take their immunosuppressant drugs without additional worry. And if it’s successful it could even be rolled out more widely – and benefit more vulnerable people.”

The trial, led by the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Cambridge, involves researchers and patients from across the UK. It is funded by LifeArc, Kidney Research UK, the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and UNION therapeutics and is supported by the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. UNION therapeutics is supplying the drug.

LifeArc has made £27 million available to support the global effort against Covid-19, of which £10 million has been given to repurpose existing therapeutics. “Repurposing already available drugs or those in the late stage of development offers the fastest route to bring benefit to patients at this critical time,” said LifeArc CEO, Melanie Lee.

References

  1. Source: UK Renal Registry, data from March-November 2020
  2. Source: UK Renal Registry

Companies gift Christmas hampers to Addenbrooke’s staff to say thank you

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s staff will receive Christmas hampers packed with goodies this week as a thank you for their hard work and care during the coronavirus pandemic.

Several local companies including Cheffins, Sainsbury’s, Arm, Marshall, Camb IT Support, Enfield Safety and Amazon have all sponsored the Hamper pack Appeal which has raised over £30,000.

Corporate volunteers from Sodexo donated a day of volunteering to help make up the 624 packs – each one for 20 staff – alongside the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust ACT team. Each hamper was packed full of Christmas treats and sweets for deserving staff from a delivery of 390Kg of Quality Street chocolates, 1,200 boxes of chocolate truffles and half a tonne of mince pies!

In addition, 1,000 presents, the cost of which was fundraised by Cambridge Commodities, will be given to patients who will be in hospital over Christmas.

Shelly Thake, ACT’s CEO said: “This has been such a fantastic joint effort from the many companies that want to thank the hospital staff for their hard work over the last few months. We are so grateful to them all for getting behind us and supporting our hamper appeal, which will help us bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to all of the hospital staff.”

Dame Mary Archer appointed as President of Addenbrooke’s charity

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) – the only charity dedicated to supporting innovative patient care at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals – is pleased to announce that Dame Mary Archer DBE has agreed to take up the role of President of the charity.

Dame Mary previously held the role of Vice-President of ACT and is taking over from the late Sir Michael Marshall CBE DL, who served as President for almost twenty years.

Dame Mary has a long-standing relationship with Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, fulfilling the roles of Chair of the hospital from 2002-2012 and Vice-Chair of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust from 2005.

Dame Mary is also president of Cambridge Global Health Partnerships, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust’s international staff volunteering programme, which she founded with senior hospital clinicians in 2006.

In addition, Dame Mary is co-chairing the Campaign Board for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, leading the fundraising campaign to realise a bold vision of integrated mental and physical healthcare for children and young people, with University of Cambridge research embedded within.

Dr Rosalind Smith, Chair of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust said, “The charity trustees and I are thrilled that Dame Mary has accepted the role of President. Dame Mary brings with her a wealth of knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to guide and support the organisation as it strives to raise much-needed funds to make Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie even better for patients.”

Dame Mary Archer said, “I am honoured to accept the position of President for this important charity. I have seen just how much ACT has benefitted so many patients at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie over the years and indeed, patients and staff during the current coronavirus pandemic. I fully support its vision to ensure that every patient experiences the best possible outcome and the highest quality of care available.”

Dame Mary Archer DBE
Dame Mary Archer DBE started her career as a physical chemist and taught Chemistry at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Dame Mary was chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2002–2012, and a founder director of Cambridge University Health Partners, 2009–2012. In 2012, she was appointed DBE for services to the NHS.

Dame Mary is chair of the Centre for Personalised Medicine, Oxford and of the Science Museum Group. She is also chancellor of the University of Buckingham, president of the National Energy Foundation, the UK Solar Energy Society and the Guild of Church Musicians. She is a trustee of the Britten Sinfonia, and a non-executive director of Hydrodec Group plc.

New video link at Addenbrooke’s allows parents who are unable to visit, to see and talk to their babies in hospital

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

A new video contact system giving parents the ability to have precious virtual contact with their babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was launched earlier than planned due to coronavirus.

The initiative had been in planning for a while to help parents who couldn’t visit their critically ill babies due to health or social circumstances, for example, families who lived further from the hospital or who had other children at home to look after. Before the virus hit, families could stay with their babies around the clock. Without the new system in place, parents would only have been able to see their babies for one hour each day.

With kind donations from Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) donors and the support of the hospital’s IT company, Novosco, Addenbrooke’s was able to accelerate the project and roll out the video system during the first lockdown, allowing parents to be able to maintain video contact with their babies whenever they needed while they were apart.

Mary King, NICU matron at Addenbrooke’s said, “The introduction of the video system has given parents the opportunity to see their baby so they can feel closer to them even when they are unable to visit. Parents have been able to speak to the team looking after their baby for support, reassurance and updates. The video system has also allowed mothers who are unwell and still at their local hospital to see their babies and speak with the NICU team. It has also been used by the psychology team to provide sessions with parents. We are very grateful to ACT and Novosco for all of their support.”

Louise and Dave are the parents of 10-month-old Noah who was born extremely prematurely in November 2019. Louise said: “During the COVID outbreak we had already been in the NICU with Noah for 4 months and we were just getting to the ‘going home’ stage. When coronavirus hit, they had to close the unit to all visitors including parents. We couldn’t go and see Noah and were heartbroken. That was one of the hardest days, having to accept that. It was devastating not being able to see him.”

“It was then that the team explained the possibility of the new video link. They explained that they would do everything they could to enable us to see Noah and that it was important that he could hear our voice and that we could see him. So, we went home and while there, suddenly my phone rang, and a video call popped up. It was Noah! The team had connected the video link so that we could see Noah in the unit from home.”

“We were one of the first families to try out the link. We got a chance to see Noah and talk to him. I can’t describe how much that meant, being able to see him on the screen. It really reassured us that he was doing well and that he could stay connected to us. The idea of not being able to see our son for so long after everything that had happened was unimaginable, so we can’t thank the NICU team enough for doing everything in their power to facilitate that connection.”

Ellen Dickson, Client Director at Novosco, said: “Novosco are proud to be partners with Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) and ACT, and during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was our genuine pleasure to be able to rapidly facilitate the roll out of this technology solution to ensure that families of those children in the NICU could maintain visual contact. Drawing on our expertise to put the technology in place just made sense when the challenges of visiting babies emerged during lockdown, and to play even a small part of alleviating those worries and concerns for families was amazing.”

To mark World Prematurity Day on 17 November, ACT held a virtual seminar with teams from NICU and ANTS at the Rosie Hospital discussing the impact supporter donations are having on these incredible hospital departments, enabling improved care, and providing vital support to families during COVID-19. You can view the seminar on our YouTube channel.

The hospital continues to welcome donations to ensure that the NICU at Addenbrooke’s continues to provide the best care for tiny patients. To donate to the NICU please visit our website.

The ALBORADA Trust’s support for ACT surpasses £800,000

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

The ALBORADA Trust has provided Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust with exceptional support during 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With grants of over £300,000 made in this year alone, the trust moved swiftly to support the staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital first in paying for new wellbeing rooms, secondly in helping with the creation of a hardship fund to ease financial pressures and third in the provision of staff vouchers. The trust also funded vital lung injury research, allowing specialists at Addenbrooke’s to understand how COVID-19 causes damage to the lung.

The wellbeing rooms have provided a safe haven and a quiet place for staff to get away from the intense pressure and strain experienced in the first wave of COVID-19. The hardship fund and vouchers were a huge boost to staff morale and meant that those experiencing financial difficulties had one less thing to worry about.

One Addenbrooke’s staff member said: ‘It is amazing how much more spacious and usable the room looks. It feels like something we would gladly offer to patients but never to staff – it’s good to feel like we matter so much’ 

Since 2015, The ALBORADA Trust have awarded over £800,000 to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, allowing us to respond quickly to the hospital’s needs.

That includes their support of the hospital’s 3D Surgical Planning Service, a new state-of-the-art facility that will allow our Maxillofacial team to produce 3D models using scans, that can be used during facial reconstruction surgery for those with head and neck cancer.

Staff are delighted with the additional support that the ALBORADA Trust has provided during the most difficult of times. After being nominated to receive staff vouchers by a colleague, one member of Addenbrooke’s staff said:

‘I was very touched to receive my “You Made A Difference Award” nomination yesterday. I feel very proud to have been able to make a difference to patients and relatives during this pandemic and having nursed at Addenbrooke’s for 35 years, this is the icing on the cake! Thank you very much for the award and the recognition of our work through this time – it has been very gratefully received.’