Centre for Reproductive Birth to mark 3000th birth

A mass Baby Party at Ashton Court taking place this Sunday [16 September] will be special for many reasons, particularly for Rebecca and Gordon Caughey of Wellington, Somerset.

They are the proud parents of one-month-old Finlay, the 3,000th baby recently born with the help of Bristol University's pioneering Centre for Reproductive Medicine.

This Sunday's exciting programme of fun and games is especially significant as it's also the last major event for the Centre's staff before their December move from Priory Road to £3.5m purpose-built premises in the grounds of Southmead Hospital.

A bouncy castle, face painting and magician are just some of the many attractions on offer at Ashton Court from 2 pm. The invitation-only event is also a unique opportunity for parents, children, nursing and clinical staff to meet together in a relaxed setting and celebrate the Centre's achievements over 25 years before the new Southmead unit opens at the end of the year.

Rebecca, mother of Finlay, the Centre's 3,000th baby, said: “We are all so much looking forward to the Baby Party. It will be great to celebrate with all those connected with the Centre, who have provided us with such amazing support. There was a time before my first child was born when I honestly never believed I'd be doing something like this as a mum myself.”

Pam Lambert, the Centre's Senior Clinical Medical Officer, said: “A Baby Party is such a positive way to celebrate the Centre's success to date. It's more than 25 years since the Centre for Reproductive Medicine was established by the late Professor Mike Hull, three thousand babies is a wonderful tribute to his pioneering efforts.  We hope services will improve even further at our new, purpose built facilities.”

Combining expertise from North Bristol Trust and Priory Road teams, the newly-named Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine will offer increased capacity and enhanced services in spacious, state-of-the-art surroundings at Southmead Hospital from late 2007. More patients will benefit from both NHS and private referrals for treatments including fertility investigations, intra-uterine inseminations (IUI), IVF and ICSI.