UHNM consultant donates leaving gift to UHNM Charity

A UHNM consultant has donated his leaving collection to UHNM Charity for the benefit of future patients.

Dr Narasimha Rao, a consultant neonatologist, has left UHNM after five and a half years on the Royal Stoke’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Dr Rao donated the £350 gifted to him by his friends and colleagues at his leaving dinner earlier this month to UHNM Charity.

He said: “It’s been an amazing journey. I had a fantastic time at UHNM and have been given lots of opportunities and been able to work on several improvement projects. We’ve had a really good working environment.

“There has been challenges, during covid for example, but my success here wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my colleagues at all levels.

“As I was leaving UHNM, I wanted to give something back in return to my colleagues who have given so much to me. We also recently lost a very special member of our team, so I wanted to give something in her memory. So I told my colleagues and friends not to give me any leaving gifts, rather a donation to UHNM Charity.

“UHNM Charity means a lot to me. It’s funded several projects on the Unit that I have worked on, including the SIM Baby training model and vCreate app. We’ve also worked on a number of events and awareness days including World Prematurity Day.

“The efforts and kindness of our supporters means a lot to our families. With UHNM Charity’s support, we’re able to improve our facitlities here for them, helping to improve their experience whilst going through a difficult phase of their lives. What our supporters have done through running, swimming, cycling and hosting events has been absolutely amazing.”

Katy Edwards, NICU Matron said: “We’re really sad to see Dr Rao go. We’re not only losing an excellent Neonatologist, but also an excellent supporter of UHNM Charity. Through his clinical and charity work, Dr Rao has made a lot of difference to the service that we deliver to the babies and their families here at UHNM.”

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications and Charity added: “Everybody at UHNM Charity would like to thank Dr Rao for his incredible support over the past five and a half years. As well as being an active fundraiser, he has also worked closely with the Charity team behind the scenes to help shape patient improvement on NICU. We will miss him, and wish him well.”