Southampton Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care
978. Rosie Mitchell
Rosie Mitchell, from Southampton, is a retired Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse who has raised two million pounds to help critically ill children at Southampton Hospital.
Rosie founded ‘Friends of PICU’ in 2006 to raise funds to improve the specialist equipment in her ward and fund two specially equipped ambulances. Rosie runs fun days, skydives, golf days, formal dinner events and stalls and, thanks to her tireless fundraising, the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is now one of the best equipped in Europe. She was suggested as a Point of Light recipient by the parents of one of her young patients.
In a personal letter to Rosie, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“I was delighted to hear about your tremendous work supporting critically ill children at Southampton Hospital from the parents of one of your young patients. Through your time as an intensive care nurse and your leading role with ‘Friends of PICU’, you have shown remarkable dedication to helping children and their parents at incredibly challenging times in their lives. Your outstanding fundraising has ensured that Southampton Hospital is one of the best equipped Paediatric Intensive Care Units in Europe.”
Rosie said:
“I am so honoured to be awarded this award. I feel humbled as I only do this to help families to have a better experience and to make sure the Paediatric Intensive care unit have the best possible equipment to care for the children. As a nurse on the PICU I can see the benefits that the equipment, ambulances and special environment has brought to the unit.“