NHS Lothian welcomes first naturally conceived quadruplets

Arlene and John Mitchell from Longridge in West Lothian have welcomed the first naturally conceived quadruplets to Lothian — Ben, Noah, Harrison, and Rory!

The tiny new arrivals, Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory, were born on May 14 and tipped the scales at less than 3lb each.

The smallest of the baby brothers, Harrison weighed in at 2lb 14 oz, while Ben, Noah, and Rory each weighed 2lb 15oz.

Naturally conceived quadruplets are extremely rare, with doctors estimating the odds at about one in 700,000 births.

Arlene, 34, and John, 38, who already have a daughter Lauren, 11, and three-year-old son Hunter are now getting used to being a family of eight.

Arlene said: “It was a total shock when we found out there were four babies at the first scan. The nurse said she thought there was more than one baby and then she said there was more than three babies!

“I was absolutely speechless and my husband just couldn’t believe it. They are really beautiful and we are so delighted. We can’t wait to take our four boys home to Lauren and Hunter and start our journey as a family of eight!”

John said: “Life is going to be a bit noisier for all of us but I’m really looking forward to us being one big family.”

Arlene was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy because of risks associated with multiple births, such as premature delivery and preeclampsia.

Arlene added: “Having quadruplets is a high-risk pregnancy and at every scan, I was really anxious that there wouldn’t be four heartbeats.

“The midwifery team were absolutely amazing, they really supported me every step of the way.”

A dedicated team of 17 doctors and midwives delivered the quadruplets in the Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on May 14.

Arlene, who is just 5’2, underwent a planned Caesarean section when she was 30-weeks pregnant to reduce risks.

Each baby had an individual team of four clinicians assigned to look after them as soon as they were welcomed into the world.

At first, the boys were each given intensive care in the Neonatal Department to help stabilise their breathing and allow them to grow while they were tube fed.

Two of the boys, Harrison and Rory were then moved to the Special Care Baby Unit in St John’s Hospital to be closer to their family, before Ben and Noah joined them.

Katy Ruggeri, Associate Director of Midwifery, NHS Lothian, said: “Delivering quadruplets is an extraordinary experience and I am immensely proud of our entire midwifery and neonatal team for their dedication and expertise throughout this remarkable journey.

“This was the first set of quadruplets delivered in Lothian and it’s something the entire team will remember for the rest of their careers.”

The boys are now thriving and Arlene and John are preparing for the big move home.

Arlene said: “Welcoming quadruplets into the world has been an incredible and overwhelming experience.

“It’s going to be a very different house and probably a bit noisier but we’re so looking forward to taking our babies home!”

Children’s Outpatients’ services prepare for move to their new home

NHS Lothian staff working across a number of Children’s Outpatient services at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children have been busy packing, ahead of the move of the first children’s clinical services to the new facilities at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

This move is being delivered in a phased approach, and already a number of administration teams have migrated and settled into their new environment.

Alongside the provision of outpatient face to face appointments, NHS Lothian will continue to make use of video call technology ‘Near Me’ for a number of appointments, offering greater flexibility as well as reducing the need for families to travel to attend in person.

The move plan, which was agreed with the full involvement of clinical teams, is not only helping to free up space at the existing Royal Hospital for Sick Children site, but is enabling NHS Lothian to continue to deliver paediatric clinics in a way which fully adheres to and supports social distancing.

Susan Goldsmith, Finance Director and Executive Lead for the project, said: “It is exciting to see the first of our Children’s services move to their new home at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. We have reached a significant milestone in this project’s journey, which is important to acknowledge and celebrate. 

“While delays to the opening of the new facility have been well publicised, I hope that as each service moves and appointments commence; patients, visitors and staff will be able to see just how impressive the facilities really are.

“Reaching this stage in the project has required a tremendous amount of work from the contractors on site, as well as our own project and clinical teams and for that I would like to say a huge thank you.”

While the first outpatient services settle into their new home, work on the final stages of the remedial and enhancement work in other areas of the building continues. Once this has been completed, and following final commissioning, the second phase in the move of NHS Lothian’s Children’s services will take place.

At this point, those services still situated at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children site will also move to the new building.

 Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said: “It is terrific that staff are finally able to move across to the new facilities at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, based at little France.

“This move has been a long time coming and I wish all NHS Lothian staff the best at their new home.”

FAQs

How do I know where my child’s appointment will be?

Your appointment letter will tell you where your child’s appointment is being held. If it is to be held at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, you will also receive a phone call to make sure you know where you are going. 

Is there parking available?

Parking is available on site. Parking stewards will direct you to the most appropriate car park. A small number of spaces are also bookable in advance, but these are reserved for patients with the greatest need, based on clinical priority.

My child has an appointment at the RHCYP, how do I find out the latest travel information?

For the latest travel information, including up to date details on parking facilities, we encourage you to visit the following website – https://www.nhslothian.scot/GoingToHospital/Locations/RIE/Pages/default.aspx

With COVID ongoing, is it safe to bring my child to hospital?

Yes. We have separate areas for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and for those who have not. There are also a range of enhanced infection control measures in place, such as staggered appointment times to limit the number of people in any one area of the building, physical distancing within waiting areas and enhanced cleaning in consulting rooms between each patient.

My child has an appointment in August, does this automatically mean it will be in the new building?

No. Although most outpatient services are moving over the coming weeks, some will remain at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children site at Sciennes, until the new building is ready to be opened to all services, including inpatients. This is because some services need access to other clinical support, which will not be moving until the whole building is open. Departments that will not be moving at this stage include, but are not limited to: Pain, Respiratory (asthma, allergy, CF), Cardiology, Haematology Oncology, Plastics and Plastics dressings clinic.

Does the move mean that the reported problems in the building have been fixed?

Our project team, as well as the contractors on site, are continuing to work on the final stages of the remedial and enhancement work. Once this has been completed, and following final commissioning, the second phase of the move will take place.

Why has everything not moved across to the new building?

Remedial and enhancement work is still taking place at the new building, which means that some services cannot move at this time.

If my child has an emergency, where do I go?

Children’s Emergency Services remain at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Sciennes. If you need to access this service, you should continue to do so at the old site. There are no Emergency Services at the new building within the Little France site at this time.

It has been reported that the RHCYP building will be opening in Autumn 2020, are things on track for then?

Our project team, as well as the contractors on site, are continuing to work on the final stages of required remedial and enhancement work. As part of this, we are due to imminently receive the final works programme. Once this has been received and discussed with the services involved, an opening date for the full building will be announced, alongside more detailed plans for the migration of the remaining Children’s services. 

Man jailed for Little France sex attacks

A man has been sentenced for sexual offences committed against two women in the grounds of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary earlier this year.

At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, David Milligan was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison following his conviction on Friday 21st June. He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life. Continue reading Man jailed for Little France sex attacks

New Sick Kids fiasco: NHS Lothian says sorry

 

NHS Lothian has announced that measures have been put in place to help patients and their families following the cancellation of the opening of the new Sick Kids hospital. The health board has also issued an apology to those affected. Continue reading New Sick Kids fiasco: NHS Lothian says sorry

New Sick Kids Hospital: MOVE HALTED

Update on Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

To protect patient safety the Health Secretary has delayed the move of patients, staff and services from the existing Royal Hospital for Sick Children to the new site at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, which was due to take place next week.  Continue reading New Sick Kids Hospital: MOVE HALTED

Re-signing at RIE

Look out for new signs at Royal Infirmary on Monday

A major signage and wayfinding project, being jointly delivered by Edinburgh BioQuarter’s four public sector partners, is underway. The City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh have come together to address the varying needs of people accessing the 100 acre site by vehicle, public transport, cycle and on foot.
Over 90 new signs will span the entire site, with three nine metre high signposts situated along the A7 Old Dalkeith Road marking out the main entrances and exits.
Car parks are being renamed and numbered, linked to these three gates. Further detailed orientation boards, street signs and building signage will also be installed as part of this exciting project.
The information below should help you when travelling to the Royal Infirmary, or any of the buildings on the Edinburgh BioQuarter campus. These changes are set to go live on Monday (29th October 2018).
WHO DESTINATION PREVIOUS CAR PARK NEW CAR PARK USE ENTRANCE GATE
Patients

Visitors

RIE C & D 2A & 2B 2
Simpsons maternity A IG 1
Staff All F 2C 1 & 2

Ach, just when I thought I finally had it all sussed … ! 

All signs point to a healthy future at Edinburgh BioQuarter

A major signage project is underway that will transform Little France and bring Edinburgh BioQuarter to life. The wayfinding project, being jointly delivered by Edinburgh BioQuarter’s four public sector partners, will address the varying needs of people accessing the site by vehicle, public transport, cycle and on foot. Continue reading All signs point to a healthy future at Edinburgh BioQuarter