Cradle for Life International-Empowering nurses, improving lives

CRADLE FOR LIFE INTERNATIONAL – EMPOWERING NURSES AND IMPROVING LIVES.

Cradle for life International is a small charity which provides medical equipment and nurse training, in particular stoma care, to developing countries. I first presented the work of Cradle for Life at WCET in Helsinki in our inaugural year, since then we have sent six full size containers of medical equipment to Pakistan, two large consignments to Iraq and have provided training for several hundred nurses. Some of this training has been delivered in the UK but much of it working directly with nurses in developing countries, including Pakistan and India. We encourage the nurses to seek personal development and thus increase their profile and roles within their working environment. This training has enabled several hospitals in Pakistan to set up free stoma care clinics for those too poor to afford either the care or the equipment. These ostomists would not normally have access to a stoma care nurse or basic stoma care appliances. In 2005, shortly after one of our containers arrived in Pakistan, a major earthquake hit the Northern region and resulted in massive loss of life and left thousands of survivors homeless and injured; many losing limbs or suffering disabling injuries. Our consignment reached survivors within days and included a wide range of equipment including theatre drapes and dressings. This presentation is a huge thank you to everyone who has helped the Cradle for Life charity since we started our work in 2004, in particular those stoma care nurses from across the UK who have been tireless in sending me equipment and those companies who have provided generous support, both financially and by facilitating free transportation of supplies.

Jacqui North