The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit is 25

A summer of Celebration

A quarter of a century, 25 years or 300 months. It doesn’t matter how you say it: that is a really long time. And in that time, the number of lives that can be touched by a single place is almost innumerable – especially when you consider that that place is where lives are changed, be it for the patients or their family. The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit really is a special location.

The Oliver Fisher Charity could not let such a landmark anniversary pass without celebration. We hosted a special luncheon at a local venue, with the aim being to reunite people from across the 25 years. We were lucky enough to be joined by retired staff who had dedicated their careers to neonatal care, including former matrons, and these former employees were greeted by serving staff, who they may have once trained or shared a shift with. It would have been impossible to count the years of experience in that room.

Dr Soe, chairman of the Oliver Fisher Charity and Neonatologist on OFNU, gave a wonderful speech which summed up the feeling of many staff when he said he wanted to “thank the patients and their families, who it has been, and continues to be, a privilege to care for”.

All of these team members found themselves surrounded by families who had nothing but tales of thanks to share, of support and advice given, and comfort in dark moments. And that isn’t to speak of the former patients in attendance, who ranged from mere months old through to Alice Lawrence, who was the first patient to be cared for in the High Dependency Ward. Now a serving trustee for the charity, Alice is the personification for the care given on the Oliver Fisher Unit and a vocal spokesperson for the gratitude felt by so many. Long-time charity supporter, Sally, who joined us at the lunch remarked:

“It’s incredible to hear all the stories; it really puts everything in perspective when you see these children running around who otherwise would not be here.”

It was a truly joyous occasion, and everywhere you looked, smiles and deeps conversations could be seen between adults, while children giggled and grinned at the special Disney and Marvel guests. Indeed, when it came to characters, everyone got involved when Oliver Bear arrived (suspiciously just in time for cake!) and hugs were dished out to all.