August 12, 2010
VICTORIA – The Vancouver Island Health Authority celebrated the gift of life with graduates of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), at its 26th annual reunion party today.
“The thought of a tiny baby requiring a high-level of care can be heart breaking,” said VIHA Board Chair Jac Kreut, “but it is through the care and expertise of the NICU staff that most of these infants are able to lead happy, healthy lives. Seeing these children again makes this event all the more wonderful.”
“Each year we treat between 500-600 newborn infants from around the province, many of whom are delivered prematurely or have serious health issues requiring special care and attention,” said Kathleen MacKinnon, Clinical Nurse Leader, NICU. “Some babies are in the NICU only a short time, while others stay much longer. Ensuring these children can leave our care and go home with their families fills our staff with an incredible amount of joy and satisfaction.”
One of the graduates of the NICU is Brendan Dawes. Now a bright and highly energetic three year old, Brendan’s story could have been very different.
During a medical exam prior to a trip abroad, Jacquie Dawes - an Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development -discovered that she had quietly gone into labour at just 25 weeks. Testing at the Victoria General Hospital confirmed labour and within the space of an hour Brendan was scheduled for immediate delivery to ensure both mum and baby were fully supported by the NICU team.
Weighing 1lb 14oz at birth, Brendan required 18 weeks of neonatal care to work his way off oxygen support, and to grow and develop so that he could take food and gain weight. Brendan was discharged as a 7lb 4oz baby boy with some residual lung damage, which he is already outgrowing and has not slowed him down at all.
“My husband and I were not at all prepared to hear Brendan was coming so early, but from the moment we entered that reality, we had amazing care and support from the whole NICU team at VGH,” Jacquie says. “We know were it not for the care he received, our wonderful little boy may not have survived or may be living with severe challenges. We are so grateful.”
The Victoria General Hospital operates one of only three tertiary care Neonatal Intensive Care Units in British Columbia. Babies are admitted to the NICU from the VGH Labour and Delivery Unit, as well as from other Vancouver Island and BC hospitals. Once a baby is well enough to return to his or her community, they are transferred to a hospital closer to home.
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Media contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270
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