Theo is receiving neonatal care closer to home

Lucy Air Ambulance for Children flew Theo from Torbay to County Durham after he was born prematurely over 370 miles from home.

Mum-to-be Jodie was visiting family in Torquay with her partner when their baby was born prematurely at 34 weeks gestation. Their little boy Theo was placed in the Special Care Baby Unit at Torbay Hospital for close monitoring and assistance feeding.

Less than one week after Theo was born, Jodie’s partner Jordan had to leave them due to commitments at home. Jodie was devastated – she and Theo faced at least another six week stay at the hospital in Devon separated from Jordan. Jordan was missing out on their baby’s first few weeks and seeing Theo achieve big milestones. She was also concerned about her vulnerable father who was over 370 miles away without her regular care.

Theo progressed well over the next few days and, to Jodie’s delight, his consultants were finally happy for Theo to be transferred to a Neonatal Unit closer to home. Jodie says: “After an emotional week, I am so relieved that Theo can receive the rest of his care locally”.

However, with such a big distance between Torbay and their local hospital in County Durham, a road ambulance journey was out of question for Theo. An air transfer was the safest way to transfer Theo between hospitals.

Lucy Air Ambulance for Children was contacted and told about Jodie’s story. We immediately agreed to fund the flight and arrangements were quickly made to transfer Jodie and Theo to a hospital closer to home.

We flew Jodie and Theo together just a few days later. Theo settled in quickly at Darlington Memorial Hospital and the family of three were finally reunited.

Jodie says: “I just wanted to say a huge, huge thank you for bringing me and my little boy closer to home. He is now settled and doing well in our local hospital where both me and Dad can see him daily. It was such a relief to be back home! We could not have done it without you and the work you put in. Ian and Justine from Embrace were amazing from start to finish, explaining everything which made the trip from hospital to hospital as smooth as possible. Theo of course slept through the majority of the whole thing, but he looked nice and comfy in his little pod. Again, we are so grateful!”