NEW high-tech medical equipment worth nearly �5m has been donated to help crack East London’s infant mortality rates at the designated 2012 Olympics’ Homerton Hospital. Equipment includes foetal monitors, incubators and a scanner

By Mike Brooke

NEW high-tech medical equipment worth nearly �5 million has been donated this week to help crack East London’s shock infant mortality rates at the designated 2012 Olympics’ hospital.

The equipment includes foetal monitors, incubators and a scanner which has been pledged to Homerton University Hospital.

Infant mortality in the area remains above the national average at six-and-a-half for every 1,000 births. One baby is born weighing less than 2.5kg every day, according to statistics.

HIGH MORTALITY

“The infant mortality rates in our communities are among the highest in the country,” said the hospital’s NHS Trust chief executive Nancy Hallett.

“But our maternity and neonatal teams will now be able to provide a modern environment for expectant mothers and new-born babies through all stages from the earliest scans through to labour, delivery and after care.”

The high-tech goodies are being donated by General Electrics, which supplies hospitals with medical technologies and services including ultrasound and MRI equipment.

MAJOR ISSUE

The company’s chief, Jeff Immelt said: “We’re focussing on maternal and newborn care to address a major issue to help the people of East London, while also addresses a topic of national importance to the NHS.”

The new perinatal centre is expected to be ready early 2011.

Work is also under way for a new �8m Mother and Baby centre at The Homerton, which is also the officially-designated Olympic hospital’ as it is the nearest to the 2012 Olympic Park.