The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Royal Oldham Hospital has marked its 10 year anniversary by sharing stories of the babies it has cared for over the years.

The NICU, which provides intensive care for infants and preterm babies, opened at Royal Oldham on December 3, 2012 as part of the hospital’s new £44m women and children’s facilities.

The unit offers a 24-hour service and has nine intensive care cots, nine high dependency care cots, and 19 special care cots.

The women and children’s facilities at Royal Oldham also include antenatal wards, labour delivery rooms, a midwife-led birth centre, obstetric theatres, a children's unit, and a paediatric theatre.

Since opening the NICU has cared for countless babies, including Heidi Land who was transferred to the unit after being diagnosed with a condition called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) which occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen or blood flow for a length of time.

Heidi is now seven years old, in school, and an ardent Strictly Come Dancing fan.

Sharing her story, Heidi’s mum Sarah Land said: “Heidi was born weighing 9lb7oz. Her start in life involved a HIE event meaning she was transferred to NICU at Oldham. She is now seven years old, in school, living her best life and loves Strictly Come Dancing.

“Thanks to everyone in Oldham for looking after her so well.”