Rockinghorse raises funds to buy post-natal equipment for Sussex Community Midwife Team

Rockinghorse children’s charity’s appeal supports the Sussex Community Midwife Team, who look after 6,000 mums and babies every year throughout their pregnancies and births.

The charity is raising funds for bilirubin monitors to help midwives detect jaundice in newborn babies during home visits. These monitors will be used by a team of 75 community midwives based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital.

One of the most serious conditions that the community midwives look out for in newborns is jaundice. This is a build up of bilirubin and if left untreated, can cause organ failure and brain damage.

Kelly Parker, community midwifery manager at the Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals, said: “If a community midwife or support worker suspects jaundice, our current course of action is to refer the baby immediately to A&E for assessment. This is often a day or two after the family have been discharged from hospital.”

Louise Bartha, appeals and trusts fundraising manager at Rockinghorse, said: “We would be so grateful for your support this Christmas. Please donate to our appeal and help us to provide a better service for all the new families cared for by the Community Midwife Team.”

To find out more visit www.rockinghorse.org.uk or call 01273 330044.