Children's hospital: 'Positive experience' (From Witney Gazette)

Children's hospital: 'Positive experience'

3:04pm Friday 18th January 2008 in Witney By The Page Turner

MOTHER Alice Gosling told of her relief after her three-year-old daughter, thought to be suffering a heart murmur, was given the all-clear at Oxford's Children's Hospital.

Mrs Gosling, director of fundraising at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds, was told last month that her daughter Katy, both pictured, needed a check-up for a possible heart murmur.

But during a recent visit to the Oxford Children's Hospital, paediatric cardiologist Nick Archer gave Katy the all-clear.

Mother-of-two Mrs Gosling, from Charlbury, said: "Dr Archer did an ultrasound examination, and was very thorough and reassuring. There was no heart murmur or abnormality, which is obviously a great relief for me and my husband, Tim. It was Katy's first visit to the hospital, but it was a very positive experience - the place is so well equipped and clean, and what she will remember most is the Tweenies toys and the pirate ship she played with in the indoor play area.

"The toys and the play area are a primary part of the surroundings, so that children don't feel they are in a hospital for adults."

Katy was referred to the children's hospital after her GP listened to her heart for a pre-school check-up, and thought it sounded irregular.

Mrs Gosling's visit to the hospital came as the £30m facility, part of the west wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital, celebrates its first anniversary, after treating 64,000 patients in its first 12 months.

So far, £13.7m has been raised towards a £15m target, and Mrs Gosling is hopeful that residents and corporate donors will help fundraisers reach the target by the end of the year.

Money raised could pay for priorities, including laser technology costing £180,000, so that surgeons can carry out paediatric dermatology in the children's theatres, and £120,000 for portable ultrasound machines.

One of the major fundraising events of the year is the OX5 Run, at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on April 6, which singer Jason Donovan is planning to take part in. He started the race last year.

Treatments provided by the hospital include cancer surgery and chemotherapy, cardio-respiratory diseases, neonatal surgery, craniofacial surgery, neurosurgery and trauma - broken arms and legs.

Ms Gosling said staff and patients at the hospital, and in the West Wing, would be celebrating the first anniversary on Friday next week.

She added: "We will be ordering some large cakes for staff and patients, and taking them up to the wards. Sir William Stubbs, the chairman of Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, will also be saying a few words."

* * * If readers are interested in taking part in the 2008 OX5 Run, they should call 01865 743444.