We are proud to support neonatal and maternity services and facilities across the North of Scotland. We have supported Aberdeen Neonatal Unit for over 40 years, where some of the sickest babies are cared for from across the entire North of Scotland including from the Highlands and Islands. We are also proud to support NHS Tayside’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Ninewells and NHS Highlands Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Raigmore and we are the proud fundraising partner for NHS Grampian’s new Baird Family Hospital.
Our vital support and services for Neonatal families includes financial support, access to overnight accommodation, funding specialist equipment, providing hot drinks and snacks in the Unit, training for staff and so much more.
The Baird Family Hospital in Aberdeen is currently the largest scale project in the entire NHS Scotland portfolio – not surprising for at 26,000 square meters across 5 floors!
The Baird will replace the current Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Neonatal Unit and Archie are we aim to raise £2 million to “deliver the difference”, adding specialist equipment and design enhancements that wouldn’t otherwise be available. With over £1.6 million raised to date we’re nearing the finish line, but we really need your support if we’re to deliver all that we aim to.
Thanks to generous funding from Archie supporters, Aberdeen Neonatal Unit boasts a variety of specialist equipment that goes way beyond “core” NHS provision. We also provide a range of “extras”, some big, some small, but all of which make a huge difference to babies and families.
Having a baby in the Neonatal Unit is, no matter the outcome, an emotionally challenging experience. Archie is here for parents, as well as for babies and staff and sometimes it is the smallest things that can make the biggest difference.
No one plans to be in the Neonatal Unit and arriving here can be disorientating. Click here to view our information sheet that will help you find your way during your visit.
We understand that having a baby born too sick or too soon can come as a shock to families and it can be difficult to process your emotions. Archie’s Counselling Service is available for Neonatal families and staff in the Unit. This service is delivered by highly trained, experienced and fully accredited counsellors. Within a neonatal context the patient is the baby. Our counsellors are here for the patient’s family – to listen and to help families (and staff) to work through the challenging situation, their reactions and emotions. You can request counselling support directly by emailing our counsellors – heather.ironside@archie.org
Did you know? In 2024, we provided 210 hours of counselling support.
“Nobody can appreciate the highs and lows of the unit – the not knowing, the frustration, the emotional rollercoaster – until you have been through it.”
Melissa