News / Maternity self catering unit re-opens
The self catering unit at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital has re-opened after a £130,000 refurbishment has been completed.
The work could to be carried out thanks to successful fund raising initiatives in Shetland and Orkney plus substantial donations from the Friends of the Neonatal Unit and the WRVS.
The unit is a home away from home for expectant mums from the north of Scotland and the northern isles – who usually have to travel to Aberdeen two weeks before their due date.
They are able to stay in the unit, and are often joined by their partners and children, as they prepare for the birth of their child. The facilities are also used by parents with babies in the neonatal unit.
The unit has been completely redecorated and an under-used sitting room has been turned into a new double bedroom, taking the total number of rooms in the unit to nine.
There is also new furniture throughout the accommodation and security has been improved. Artwork and photographs produced by fundraisers and their friends decorate the walls.
Lerwick woman Sarah-Jane Moore from Lerwick got involved in fundraising following a ten day stay at the unit in September 2008, while her son was receiving neonatal care.
She said Shetlanders had donated more than £15,000 to help with the work, but added that the local committee would continue to raise funds.
“It’s a complete transformation; the unit is now a real home from home. The money we have raised has already paid for everything from new sofas to bedside cabinets.
“Although the accommodation has had its main revamp, we are still going to continue our fund raising efforts which will hopefully mean that we can help with the upkeep of the accommodation and also help to do some more renovation work, including another shower room.”
Unit support manager for obstetrics, gynaecology and neonatology, Morag Davidson, said: “The work we have carried out would not have been possible without very generous donations received from a number of organisations and the hard work of fundraisers.
“Throughout the refurbishment we have consulted with people who have used the unit, to ensure their needs are met and that the accommodation is truly fit for purpose.”
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