Hospital receives machine in honour of late Ellie

In honour of two-year-old Ellie Perkins, who succumbed to injuries she sustained in a motor vehicle accident in the Great Mountain area last year, a donation has been made to Peebles Hospital.

The V400 AccuVein Machine, which was donated to the hospital’s Pediatric Unit, uses vein illumination visualization technology, which will aid healthcare professionals in finding veins for venipuncture.

By simply holding the device above the skin, an infrared light is illuminated and the vasculature (network of veins) is displayed on the surface of the skin.

The technology will save valuable time for physicians, nurses, and patients.

Father of the late Ellie, Dan Perkins, who made the presentation to the hospital, said the Ellie’s Wish Foundation was established as a non-profit organization approximately six months ago.

He said its purpose is to raise funds to purchase medical equipment for the Pediatric Unit at Peebles Hospital.

The V400 AccuVein is the first piece of equipment to be donated by the Foundation in hope that it will help the medical team provide care to children.

Meanwhile, Dr Annelise Wilkins – registrar, who is also a member of the Ellie’s Wish Foundation, further explained the purpose of the equipment donated.

“The AccuVein finder is a piece of equipment that helps us locate veins in children in situations such as trauma, which is pertinent to the basis of the charity. So we look forward to using it, and it will definitely improve healthcare – more specifically foster patient-centered care in the BVI Pediatrics Unit,” added Dr Wilkins.

Responding on behalf of Peebles Hospital, Chief Executive Officer Paula Chester-Cumberbatch thanked Perkins and the Ellie’s Wish Foundation for the ‘generous contribution’, adding that the V400 machine will be put to good use.