Family praise intensive care unit

The family of a seriously ill baby have paid a special tribute to the staff who saved his life. Edward Lovett was just five-days-old when he was rushed to University Hospital of North Staffordshire’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Doctors diagnosed Edward as suffering from a kidney infection caused by septicaemia and meningitis. 

Edward's father Jim Lovett, 40, of Knutsford, said: "Everything had gone well with the birth but he suddenly became extremely ill. He was taken to University Hospital and put on full life support, he had more tubes in him than the London Underground. The staff on the unit were utterly fantastic, they tweaked and altered his treatment until his vital signs improved. They never left his bedside for the whole six days and eventually his condition began to improve. It’s only when you’re in a situation like that you see just how wonderful these people are."

Edward, who weighed just 4kg when he came home shortly before Christmas, is now fit and healthy and being looked after by mum and his two elder brothers, Patrick, seven, and Michael, five. Jim said: "Edward left the intensive care unit and was back home with his brothers on Christmas Day. It really was the best present my wife Jane and I could ever have."

John Alexander, consultant intensive care paediatrician, said: "Edward was really very sick, he needed help with his breathing and his heart. It took three days for us to help turn him around and thankfully he was able to fight off the infection. Our staff pride themselves in providing care not just for the child but also for the family. The family go through great difficulties physically and emotionally as it is very traumatic for them."

To say thank you for the care Edward received, Jim and his friend Liam Bergin raised 3,811 pounds for the unit. They completed the gruelling Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon, a two day event orienteering 40k over the Scottish Highlands. This included camping on a mountainside overnight, which meant carrying 30kg of tent, supplies and emergency kit. To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/Jim-Lovett.