Trust welcomes new ‘Tinylife’ support officer
THE appointment of a new Family Support Officer for the charity, Tinylife, at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) has been welcomed by The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust).
Ciara Mcmaugh is based in the Neonatal Unit at the SWAH but the majority of her time will be based out in the community.
She said: “The staff have been very friendly and very welcoming. Everybody in the SWAH Acute Neonatal Unit are very keen to have Tinylife on board, and we are going to work very well together.
“I will be based in the SWAH every
Wednesday to support and provide emotional and practical support to parents of premature babies or babies who have spent time in a neonatal unit from birth.
“Some of the services Tinylife offer may be a listening ear, offering Tinylife infant massage – tailored for premature babies – an opportunity to meet other families who have had premature babies.
“Also, within the area we provide ‘Tinytime’; this involves introducing families through play, maybe walks in the park or meet-ups in community buildings.
“I look forward to providing muchneeded support to local families.”
Emma O’neill, Head of Operations at Tinylife said: “Tinylife have been advocating and campaigning for years to have a family Support Officer represent the South West Fermanagh Area.
“Tinylife can now meet parents and their babies at the start of their journey in the neonatal unit and potentially work with them until their child commences pre-school or primary school.
“Tinylife would like to thank the Western Trust area community and professionals for advocating on behalf of Tinylife, and we very much look forward to working with families where their baby is born too soon,” she added.