Babies in the neonatal unit at Royal Hampshire County Hospital are able to have a more comfortable stay thanks to a kind donation from a volunteer organisation.
The unit received six colourful handmade incubator covers from Project Linus UK, an organisation that provides homemade quilts, blankets and incubator covers for young children who are sick, disabled, disadvantaged or distressed.
Incubator covers are designed to protect babies from bright lights and sounds, encourage sleep and to create a homely atmosphere during their stay in hospital.
Sharon Stone, clinical matron for the neonatal unit at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, as well as Andover War Memorial Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, said:
“The fun colours and adorable patterns have created a comforting and homely atmosphere on the neonatal unit
“The covers are incredibly valuable as they help to support development care, protecting babies in incubators from light and noise during their stay with us, and the parents love the colours and fun materials.
“We can’t thank Norma and Project Linus UK enough for all of the hard work and effort they put in to create the covers.”
Norma Goodwin, Winchester volunteer coordinator for Project Linus UK, visited the neonatal unit to make the donation on behalf of Project Linus UK.
She said: “It was a great joy to be able to create the new incubator covers for the unit. Each cover takes over 11 hours to make, but seeing the reaction when the donation was brought in made it all worthwhile.
“The quilts are made from high quality threads and 100 per cent cotton fabric generously donated by local patchwork and quilters. This is great opportunity to get volunteers involved and help those younger patients who need a little extra care as they grow.”
To find out more about Project Linus UK, make a quilt, or if you know of anyone who would like a quilt, visit www.projectlinusuk.co.uk.
