Family thanks medics for saving baby
5:34am Wednesday 14th November 2007
A mum has paid tribute to the medical staff at two hospitals who worked around the clock to save her baby's life.
Freddie Robertshaw was born weighing a healthy 8lb 2oz at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, in June this year, but he soon began to have breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH).
His mother, Janet, a children's nurse, and her husband Wayne thought it was a minor complication but became increasingly concerned when his condition deteriorated.
Freddie was taken to the special baby-care unit, where he was put on a ventilator. An X-ray showed he had a hole in his lung.
A few days later the family was told their son's condition was grave and were told to call any family members who had yet to meet Freddie and to get him baptised if they wished.
The couple's daughter, Megan, ten, was allowed a visit to see her brother and he was baptised in the hospital at a time when it was not known whether he would survive.
Mrs Robertshaw said: "It was harrowing. It was just awful.
"I asked if he was going to die, but the staff said they couldn't tell me that.
"The baptism was very poignant and very difficult."
Mrs Robertshaw was touched by how hard the staff worked taking care of her new-born, some even staying hours after their shifts to help him.
And two nurses took it in turns to ventilate Freddie by hand for hours.
It was decided Freddie needed specialist equipment and he was taken to Hope Hospital in Salford, Manchester, where he was in intensive care for 11 days.
His mum said: "Some days we just didn't think he was going to make it. The staff were so brilliant again in Manchester, they didn't give us false hope."
Finally, Freddie turned a corner and his mother was able to hold him for the first time.
She said: "I was just sobbing. It was just wonderful."
Freddie went back to Airedale Hospital, where he stayed for a further week and a half until he finally made it to the family's home in Wilsden.
Mrs Robertshaw's mother, Barbara Owen, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer during Freddie's time in hospital and so the family was given a private family room so that Mrs Owen could spend time with her grandson. Sadly, she died last month.
Freddie still receives check-ups and might have some development problems, but his parents said they were indebted to the staff at both hospitals for saving his life.
Mr Robertshaw said: "He is absolutely fine now, he's fighting fit and a real character. We just want to thank all the staff at Airedale and Hope Hospital."
Mrs Robertshaw said: "I just can't thank the staff enough. I work in the NHS and I know what it is like.
"But the domestic staff, nursing staff, counsellors and social workers treated us with the utmost respect and dignity.
"They must have spent thousands and thousands of pounds on Freddie's care. They were just unbelievable. They saved his life."