Ten years ago to the day, following an extraordinary five-year fundraising appeal, the Highland Children's Unit welcomed its first patients.
Patients, former patients, staff past and present, partners, fundraisers and supporters came together today to celebrate a decade since the unit opened its doors at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
The celebration brought together those who played a pivotal role in the unit's development, those who have supported its journey over the past ten years, and those who continue to shape its future.
Former patients reflected on the difference between the old ward and the new unit, sharing what it felt like to be among the first to be treated there. Staff reminisced about the logistics of transferring patients on opening day and spoke about how the unit has continued to develop. Supporters, meanwhile, looked back on the many fundraising activities that helped bring this vision to life.
The Highland Children's Unit was born from a conversation between Professor George Youngson, a paediatric surgeon who operated at both Raigmore and the children's hospital in Aberdeen, and then Senior Charge Nurse April Emmott.
Professor Youngson's observation that the environment for children in Inverness fell far short of what was possible led to an introduction to the Archie Foundation and, eventually, to the launch of the Archie Appeal in 2011.
What began as an ambition to renovate an existing ward grew into something far larger: a dedicated unit described as a mini hospital within a hospital, with high-dependency care, an assessment unit, day-case facilities and in-patient beds all under one roof, with its own entrance. The Archie Appeal set an initial target of £1 million before doubling its ambition to £2 million, this was reached in 2016.
Since opening, the unit has continued to develop. The Fresh Air Project, a subsequent fundraising effort, transformed the outdoor views from the ward, replacing blank hospital walls with gardens, murals and sculptures, including a Highland cow and a family of polar bears, visible from patients' rooms.
Fiona Davies, Chief Executive of NHS Highland, said: "It has been a pleasure to be here and help celebrate ten years of our Highland Children's Unit.
"What began as a discussion about renovating an existing ward has culminated in what has been described to me as a mini hospital within a hospital, and that transformation has been made possible by the generosity, commitment and sheer determination of the communities, partners and staff who believed in this vision.
"It has been a privilege to listen to the stories from fundraisers, former patients and staff, not only about their experience with the fundraising appeal but also their experience in the unit. Hearing about the care provided and received here over the past decade has been incredibly uplifting.
"The afternoon was an opportunity to reconnect, recognise the extraordinary contributions made over the past ten years, and celebrate the lasting impact the unit has had on children and families across Highland."
Paula Cormack, Chief Executive of The Archie Foundation said: "It was an honour to be invited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Highland Children’s Unit and to recognise the huge contribution of all those who worked so tirelessly to raise the funds needed to open the unit and shape it into this special, child-friendly space for young patients and their families.
“The Archie Foundation continues to fundraise to support babies, children and families at a time when they need us most, either during a hospital visit or when a loved one has died or is receiving end of life care.
“We work alongside our NHS colleagues across the Highlands and the wider north of Scotland to make the difference – from funding major specialist equipment or staff right through to paying for a taxi or offering a coffee, small touches that help a family member on a difficult day."