THE grateful parents of a baby who spent 12 weeks in hospital have paid tribute to the “remarkable” woman who looked after her.

Rachel Bizarion and Scott Adam named their daughter after Glasgow NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurse Marnie McVeigh, who works at the Royal Hospital for Children.

“Marnie treated our little girl as her own, guiding us through some of the darkest days with unwavering support,” said Rachel.

“Her compassion and dedication inspired us to name our daughter after her.”

Little Marnie Adam is now three years old and at nursery, but her dramatic entrance to the world is one her parents will never forget.

(Image: NHSGGC)

Although the pregnancy was smooth, doctors discovered multiple complications when Marnie was born and at just 10 hours old, she was airlifted from Raigmore Hospital in her home city of Inverness to Glasgow.

“She embarked on her first journey alone as I wasn’t allowed to travel with her as I had just given birth,” said Rachel.

“And at Glasgow's NICU, she was greeted by a remarkable nurse named Marnie McVeigh.”

(Image: NHSGGC)

In the first eight weeks of her life, at the NICU in Glasgow, Marnie underwent three major heart operations and three significant ENT repairs.

After a week in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and three weeks in Ward 3b she finally got home.

“It was incredibly challenging, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Rachel. “For weeks, only Scott and I could see her, while our family back home waited patiently and painfully to meet her.

“The doctors, nurses and surgeons in Glasgow made us feel like family. Marnie is our superhero, but so are the entire team who cared for us and continue to do so during both inpatient and outpatient stays.

(Image: NHSGGC)

“We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who gave our girl the strength and determination to overcome those early challenges.”

Marnie McVeigh, who has worked in the NICU since 2012, was delighted to hear Rachel and Scott had named their daughter after her.

"Making sure families feel supported regardless of distance is challenging, but I'm very glad to be part of a team that values family-integrated care so much that it becomes second nature to us,” she said.

“I may be a little biased, but having Rachel choose Marnie as a final name is pretty awesome, as it means I have a lasting link with a family that really needed support.

“I wouldn't change my job in NICU for anything, and having families keep in touch and give us these stories as feedback is just the icing on the cake for me."

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Rachel and Scott are sharing their story to highlight the fact September is NICU Awareness Month.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said NHSGGC “takes this opportunity to thank all our wonderful NICU staff for their amazing care for patients.”