WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER, 2023

NHS Tayside supports World Prematurity Day

Staff from the Neonatal Unit are hosting an information stand on the concourse at Ninewells Hospital on Friday, 17 November in support of World Prematurity Day.

World Prematurity Day was first celebrated in 2011 to raise awareness of the millions of children born prematurely across the world. It has been celebrated every year since then and this year it falls on Friday, 17 November.

The global theme of World Prematurity Day 2023 is ‘Small actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate skin-to-skin care for every baby everywhere.’ Skin-to-skin contact has been proven to be extremely effective for every baby, especially for premature babies.

The campaign encourages people to show their support by wearing purple in recognition of World Prematurity Day.

In Scotland, approximately 6,000 babies are born premature or sick every year. To help raise awareness of World Prematurity Day, members of the neonatal team will be wearing purple and hosting an information stand on the concourse at Ninewells from 10am until 2pm.

Visitors, staff and patients are invited to visit the stand where they will be able to see some of the equipment that is used in the care of preterm babies such as blood pressure cuffs, monitors and an example of an incubator, as well as little weighted babygrows which help illustrate the weight of babies looked after.

Staff will be on hand to answer questions and explain more about premature labour and preterm babies and the impact this can have on families. They will also explain about the work of Neonatal Unit at Ninewells and the specialist care the team provides to preterm babies and the support they give to families.

Hayley McDonald, Senior Nurse, Neonatal Unit said, “The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit sees around 550 admissions every year, the majority of these babies being born premature.

“World Prematurity Day is important as it raises awareness of babies born prematurely and the effect this can have on parents and families.

“The neonatal staff are committed to supporting families every step of the way to involve them in the day-to-day care of their baby so they feel they are part of the ward team from the moment their baby is admitted to the unit.

“World Prematurity Day is a significant day and we hope that many members of the public take the time to visit our stand on the concourse, share stories and learn a little about neonatal care.”

A walk round Ninewells Community Garden will also take place on Friday at 11am in support of World Prematurity Day. Joining neonatal staff will be families and friends whose babies were born premature and were cared for in the unit.

Notes to editors:

• Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. 

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138