Mum's crusade to help NHS after heartbreak (From Warrington Guardian)

Mum's crusade to help NHS after heartbreak of losing premature baby wins business accelerator of the year in Warrington

10:00am Monday 18th February 2013 in News By Hannah Bargery

A MUM who was inspired to get into the medical profession after one of her premature twins died has said she is delighted to be crowned business accelerator of the year in Warrington.

Michelle Hunter, of Saxon Park, Great Sankey, used her heartbreak to help the health service and is now on a crusade to save the NHS millions by selling them medical equipment for a fraction of the price they currently pay.

The mum-of-three, who has calculated she has spent nine months of her life at the neonatal unit at Warrington Hospital after all of her children were born prematurely, said her work is in memory of her daughter Emily.

The 33-year-old, who set up Abeti Medical Solutions Ltd two years ago, added: “I could have sat at home crying over Emily but instead I decided to do something in her memory.

“I had been successful working for medical supplies companies as a UK sales manager and product specialist but it was always in the back of my mind what the NHS had done for me and I was trying to think what I could design to help.”

The company is now preparing to launch their first product after funding it through selling surgical equipment to hospital trusts for cheaper prices than larger companies.

Michelle, who has been working 17 hour days in the first year of her business, added: “We evolved from consulting with various people over what would benefit the NHS and found a lot people saying they would be able to do more if products were cheaper.

“I started approaching manufacturers and found things aren’t that expensive but companies are putting a premium price on it.

“We identified some key products which can save lives, money and jobs.

“We’re competing against multi-million pound companies so it’s not easy but we have gone from just me to a team of five in 12 months which is going to be instrumental.”

Examples of her work include saving hospital trusts £100 on gall bladder operations.

The company, who now have 46 trialling trusts and 15 key accounts, also recently won a £2.7m framework agreement to supply diathermy machines to the NHS.

 

THE company name Abeti is made up of Michelle’s children’s names Brittany, aged 14, Emily, Thomas, aged nine and Isaac, aged five.

University Academy Warrington pupil Brittany was born on New Year’s Eve 1998 and appeared on the front page of the millennium edition of the Warrington Guardian after beating the odds when she was born weighing 1lb 13oz at 26 weeks.

Christ Church Primary School pupils Thomas and Isaac were then born at 29 weeks weighing 2lb 11oz and 2lb 13oz respectively.

The company logo also has a hidden meaning for the family as the ‘E’ represents Emily as an angel to help turn her tragic death into a positive.

Michelle’s prize includes free advertising and mentoring from two experts in the town.