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This year marks 40 years since Hinchingbrooke Hospital first opened its’ doors in 1983. Here Sarah Carter, Deputy Sister on the Special Care Baby Unit, shares her memories and photos of the changes that she has seen in that time.

Sarah Carter joined the team at Hinchingbrooke 40 years ago and hasn’t left since then. She started her training in the Care of the Elderly Ward, while the Hinchingbrooke site was still being built in 1983 and completed her nurse training in June 1984. She joined the Special Care Baby Unit team before working her way up the ranks to Deputy Sister and has found that she is regularly recognised by parents of children who have been in Special Care. 

She said: “I lived in the nurse accommodation on site while I completed my training, and it was great to work on a brand-new unit. Babies would be snuggled up in sheepskin to keep them cosy and protected. Premature baby clothes were not readily available to buy, so we used to make them between shifts or during our breaks.

“I have run a parent support group for over 30 years and we are always looking at different ways to help support families. We’ve created journey boxes, baby diaries and milestone cards to mark special achievements each baby has made.  

“Technology has been a major change over time. Our babies used to stay with us for much longer periods of time, with many staying until they were 8 or 9 months old until they were feeding and breathing by themselves. We now have fantastic community support in place now so our parents can take their babies home earlier while still having tube feeds or requiring oxygen and the team support them in caring for their baby at home, which is so much better for the family.

“I have always enjoyed working here. It is a friendly hospital with a great team who are really family orientated. It is an incredibly rewarding role and a privilege to be able to help people at a very difficult time in their lives.”