Stevenage’s Lister Hospital has unveiled a new piece of life-saving maternity equipment, provided thanks to a generous legacy left to the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity.

The LifeStart resuscitator trolley, which cost £15,000, allows the care of premature babies to take place at their mother’s bedside, even for babies that need resuscitation, while clinicians can support baby's breathing and heart rate immediately after birth.

“We are delighted that thanks to a very generous legacy, we have been able to purchase a LifeStart resuscitator trolley which will help us give even better care to our premature babies,” said consultant obstetrician, Dr Rachel Wooldridge.

“It will help many families who face a worrying time with their premature babies.”

Also at the event was Amy Phillips whose baby, Isla, was born at Lister Hospital on August 25 this year, at just 28 weeks.

“Isla was premature, but she was well enough to receive the benefits of delayed cord clamping,” said Amy.

“I’m delighted that Lister now has a LifeStart resuscitator trolley so that more babies can experience those benefits too. All babies deserve the best start in life.”

Eloise Huddleston, director of East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity, added: “We would like the thank the very kind donor who left us a gift in their will which allowed us to purchase this machine.

“The trolley will make a huge difference to our tiniest babies and their mothers. Their generous gift has left a truly lasting legacy.”