Panda warmer a vital piece of equipment to help save lives of premature babies

HEALTH Minister and North Sydney MP Jillian Skinner shelled out $31,000 for a panda warmer.

HEALTH Minister and North Sydney MP Jillian Skinner shelled out $31,000 from her ministerial funds to buy hospital equipment known as a panda warmer.

The equipment helps save the lives of premature babies by allowing medics to perform urgent resuscitation while keeping the baby warm.

The minister bought the equipment at a Humpty Dumpty Foundation luncheon earlier this month, where guests volunteered to purchase items off the Foundation's wish list.

The equipment is destined for Campbelltown Hospital, adding a second panda warmer to the hospital's nursery.

"As Minister for Health, I'm committed to ensuring our state's hospitals provide the best care to patients both big and small and I was happy to use some money from my ministerial fund to purchase the panda warmer," Ms Skinner said.

"I look forward to visiting Campbelltown Hospital in the near future to see it up and running and meet the patients who have benefited from its use."

Humpty Dumpty Foundation founder and chairman Paul Francis said they received requests for equipment from hospitals all around Australia.

"Our doctors and nurses need the opportunity to do their job properly with the right equipment," he said.

"I think it's wonderful the minister works with the Foundation and it results in a fantastic outcome for the kids."