Cold cot donated to York Hospital

York Hospital has received a cold cot which offers parents, who suffer the heartbreak of losing their baby, the chance to spend more time with them to say goodbye.

The emergency department has been given a cold cot by York Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) and the family of a baby who died aged 16 days old.

The cot regulates the baby’s temperature, allowing parents to keep their baby with them a little bit longer to say goodbye.  The baby is able to stay in the cold cot for around two weeks.

Natasha Limbert, 25, her mum Sabine O’Dwyer and other members of her family have been raising funds for York SANDS, which supported them after the death of Natasha’s daughter, Alexis Nikita, who sadly passed away on Christmas Eve 2015.

The family has raised over £7,000 for York SANDS, based at York Hospital’s bereavement suite, through a variety of events including a charity sparring night at Henry’s Gym, in Acomb.  £2,600 of the money has been put towards purchasing the cold cot for York’s emergency department.

Tasha, who has a three-year-old daughter, Savannah, said:  “We are all over the moon we have been able to raise this money for York SANDS to get another much needed cold cot for York Hospital.

“We were adamant that Alexis’s passing wouldn’t be in vain - and it’s nice to know she will never be forgotten.

“After going through what we did as a family, we wanted to be able to provide comfort and support to other parents who experience the devastating loss of a child.

“My real hope is that even if it doesn't get used very often, which I hope it won't, that parents have the chance to spend that extra time with their baby which sadly we didn't get with Alexis.”

Janine Vermeulen, Consultant, Emergency Medicine, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is an incredibly sad and difficult time when a family lose their baby.

“Through this generous donation my hope is that more parents will get some precious time with their baby and that it will bring them some comfort.  This is so important because this is the only time parents will have with their child and these memories will stay with them forever.”

Kim Reilly, Vice Chair, SANDS York, added:  “The death of a baby is a devastating experience.  The effects of grief can be overwhelming and parents, their families and friends can be left feeling dazed, disorientated, isolated and exhausted.  A cold cot offers the invaluable chance to spend more time with them to say goodbye.”

08 November 2017