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Lions Club Bad Krozingen - Staufen donates car for an aftercare program at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg / More donors wanted to support families with premature babies

Arriving home safely after a stay in hospital: A socio-medical aftercare service at the Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg supports families with premature and sick children. The work of the aftercare team has now been made easier thanks to a generous donation: On Thursday, May 11, representatives of the Lions Club Bad Krozingen - Staufen handed over a small car to Medical Director Prof. Dr. Ute Spiekerkötter and Case Manager Marie-Louise Meyer from the Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology . This will make it easier to make home visits to families with children who have recently been discharged from hospital.

Supporting the transition home

"After being discharged from hospital, it is often not easy for parents to take on the responsibility and care of their child alone at home," says Case Manager Meyer. Following the nationwide established concept of the Bunte Kreis, case managers, physicians and nursing experts help to organize everyday life. The aftercare team arranges physiotherapists, answers questions about medication, accompanies patients to check-up appointments and helps with applications for aids and care degrees. The focus is not only on nursing care for the sick child, but also on supporting parents and siblings. "The aim is to build a sustainable network together with the family so that after three months they can live their everyday lives well without our help. It's about helping them to help themselves," explains Meyer.

Supporters wanted

Initially, the service will be offered to premature and sick newborns and their parents; it can gradually be offered to all families with seriously ill children when they are discharged from inpatient treatment. In the long term, the costs will be covered by the health insurance companies. During the start-up phase, however, the project is dependent on financial support. The Kiwanis Club Neuenburg e.V. is already financing part of the personnel costs of a case manager with donations raised at charity events, as are some private donors. "Nevertheless, we are very happy to receive further donations so that we can expand the service soon," says Spiekerkötter.

Donation account:
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Sparkasse Freiburg Nördlicher Breisgau
IBAN: DE04680501010015000150
BIC: FRSPDE66
Purpose: 3411721304 Neonatologische Nachsorge

Caption: Finally mobile: Case Manager Marie-Louise Meyer (right) and Medical Director of the Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology Prof. Dr. Ute Spiekerkötter (2nd from left) thank representatives of the Lions Club Bad Krozingen - Staufen for the donated car, which will enable the aftercare team to accompany families with premature babies as they return to everyday life.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg