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RYAN Giggs signs our petition.
Why Ryan is united behind our Hope campaign
Emma Fitzgerald26/ 1/2006
EXCLUSIVE
THE Advertiser's Hands Off Our Hospital campaign has scored the support of Manchester United football star Ryan Giggs.
Ryan had first-hand experience of the care and facilities offered at Hope Hospital's maternity unit when his baby daughter Liberty was born there prematurely in April 2003.
The 32-year-old spent many anxious hours sitting by the incubator of his 3lb 6oz daughter after his partner Stacey Cooke gave birth two months early.
Now the Welsh wing wizard is outraged by plans to scrap Hope's baby unit, including its neonatal intensive care unit, and this week he signed the Advertiser's petition backing Option C in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority's (SHA) proposals - the only option which includes retaining maternity services in the city.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Ryan said: "My daughter was born at Hope Hospital and the staff were absolutely fantastic.
"It was a very difficult time for myself and my family and the expertise in care that they gave to my daughter was unbelievable. I urge everyone to back this campaign and fight for what should be every mother's right to give birth in their local hospital."
This time last year Ryan visited Hope Hospital to officially open a new family room for parents of sick babies to stay in overnight. It consists of seven bedrooms - all equipped with live video link-ups to their babies' cots so they can keep a constant eye on their little ones in the intensive care unit.
The unit means parents can take a break from their bedside vigil and stay at the hospital in comfort without having to travel to and from home.
Hope's neonatal intensive care unit is one of only three in the north west. Under the SHA's plans it would move to Royal Bolton Hospital.
Hope's chief executive David Dalton said: "We have a tremendous neonatal unit which has a proud history of looking after the needs of babies and their mothers.
"We have been extremely pleased at the level of support that the Advertiser and the public are giving to the unit and we very much hope that the public get involved in understanding the issues, ask to see the information and participate in the consultation process."
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
www.bestforhealth.nhs.uk
i am concerned that a petition in itself is not enough and that people need to fill in the form on this website
i have heard there are some events happening in Salford run by the NHS - why aren't you urging people to go to these - where they can stand up and be counted and make their views know rather than just adding a name to a list?
27/01/2006 at 11:42
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