Thanks to your generous donations, Heartbeat have been able to provide Ocean Ward with a new vein visualisation device, the AccuVein, which is already making a meaningful difference for the children E1 care for, from preterm newborns to teenagers, all living with serious heart conditions.

Ocean Ward is home to some of the most unwell children in the hospital. Many of them require frequent blood tests and cannulations, but due to their fragile health and history of multiple attempts, locating a suitable vein can be extremely challenging. Until recently, our only tool for vein finding was a cold light, which is effective for small infants but not for older children.

For children with certain heart conditions, the distress caused by multiple failed attempts can even put them at high risk of collapse, making the procedure not just stressful, but potentially dangerous. That’s why the addition of the AccuVein has been a game-changer.

Your donation has significantly improved the E1 teams ability to perform blood tests and cannulations successfully on the first try, reducing pain, anxiety and delays in diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, you have helped to create a more positive and less traumatic experience for both the children and their families during what is often a very difficult time.