Generous workers from BAE Systems in Barrow have donated more than £4,000 towards a new piece of equipment for use at Furness General Hospital.  

The donation, made to Bay Hospitals Charity from the company’s Give As You Earn scheme, will be used to buy an Accuscreen newborn hearing test device for use at the hospital.  

The portable, handheld devices make it easier for staff to check the hearing of newborns and can be used both in hospital and following homebirths.  

Bay Hospitals Charity funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment. 

Charity Manager Judith Read said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at BAE Systems in Barrow for their ongoing support for Furness General Hospital. 

“This donation will help us to ensure any hearing conditions in newborns are identified at the earliest opportunity, while also offering maximum convenience for our staff.”  

BAE Systems staff contribute to the Give As You Earn scheme by donating at least £1 per week form their pay packet. Charities can apply for grants from the fund, which is managed by a joint staff and union committee.

BAE Systems Give As You Earn committee chair Oli Wignall said: "Give As You Earn is a simple way for people who work at BAE to donate money each week from their pay, and once a year we allocate 100% of the money donated to local charities in the local area.

"In 2022 we were keen to make the contribution have a more tangible impact such as fully funding an item that would have the biggest impact to your organisation, this year we are so proud that we could support the funding application for the Accuscreen device.

"This was only made possible through your own team, and with the kind contributions of the BAE workforce."

Last year the scheme donated £2,000 to fund an Accuvein device for the hospital. The devices use light to improve the visibility of veins, helping to ensure needles and cannulas can be inserted as easily as possible to give patients medicines and fluids.      

To donate and support your local NHS hospital, contact Bay Hospitals Charity on 01524 516064 or email [email protected]