Hundreds of young patients across Scotland who rely on specialist overnight sleep studies for diagnosis and treatment are set to benefit from a major equipment donation from Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby.
Wooden Spoon Glasgow has awarded £34,250 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to fund two state-of-the-art inpatient sleep monitors for use at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
The specialist sleep diagnostic equipment will play an integral role in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of children with a wide range of conditions, including premature babies, epilepsy, congenital heart disease and neurodiversity.
Demand for children to receive polysomnography (PSG) sleep studies is rising, with more than 300 children expected to use the service next year. Current equipment shortages mean families can face waits of up to eight months, delaying diagnosis and treatment for children travelling from across Scotland to the national paediatric centre.
The advanced equipment will allow for greater accuracy, improved analysis, faster results and a better patient experience, with overnight physiologists able to monitor signals from outside the patient’s room.
Kirsten Watson, CEO of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Thanks to the generosity of Wooden Spoon, our hospital now has access to advanced sleep-study equipment that will make a difference to the lives of more than 300 children every year.
“Sleep studies can be the key to understanding and treating a wide range of complex conditions, from supporting the tiniest babies in the neonatal unit to children living with heart disease and epilepsy. We are incredibly grateful to Wooden Spoon for their continued support of Scotland’s biggest children’s hospital.”
Wooden Spoon Glasgow chair Al Kellock, former Glasgow Warriors and Scotland captain and Scottish Rugby’s new head of performance, said: “Wooden Spoon exists to back projects that make a tangible difference to children’s lives, and this equipment will do exactly that.
“When you see how many families rely on this service, and how critical early diagnosis is, it becomes clear how important these monitors are. We’re proud to play our part in reducing waiting times and improving care for children from Glasgow and the surrounding area.
“We’re only able to make this impact because of the hundreds of people who support our events – particularly our annual dinner – and we hope to be in a position to improve the lives of even more children who need our help next year.”
The donation forms part of Wooden Spoon Glasgow’s long-term commitment to supporting children and young people facing physical, mental and social disadvantages.
The charity has contributed more than £200,000 towards 13 projects across Glasgow in the past two years alone, including major outdoor learning upgrades at Hollybrook Academy and Clydemuir Primary School.
Wooden Spoon Glasgow’s fundraising is driven by supporters across the city’s rugby and business communities, with the annual Glasgow Dinner — hosted by Scotland legend Andy Nicol — helping to fund projects such as this one.
Tickets are now available for the next year’s event, which takes place at the Hilton on 26 February next year, here.
