WHEN Joel-Gabriel developed breathing difficulties minutes after his birth, his parents were horrified to hear that there were not enough staff to care for him at the hospital where he was born.

In a desperate bid to save him, Joel-Gabriel was transferred from North Manchester General Hospital to the neonatal unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Within days, he was well enough to go home.

Now, his mum, Joanne Whitehouse, of Middleton, has raised almost £600 for Bolton's special care baby unit and is throwing her weight behind the Bolton Evening News' Back The Baby Unit campaign.

We want the Royal Bolton Hospital to be recognised as one of three new super-centres for babies and children in the Greater Manchester region.

If it does not become one, its special unit for sick babies will close. The maternity unit would remain open.

Mrs Whitehouse said: "The care Joel-Gabriel had at Bolton was absolutely fantastic. The nurses were wonderful and so dedicated.

"It was a very frightening time for us as a family and they were so reassuring.

"I felt like I had known them all my life."

Four-month-old Joel-Gabriel was born at North Manchester General in September.

He became critically ill because he swallowed some fluid during birth.

After being rushed to the Royal Bolton, he spent five days in the neonatal ward.

Mother-of-five Mrs Whitehouse raised money for the ward by selling football cards.

She said: "These units really are needed. It was terrifying to be told the North Manchester hospital couldn't care for him.

"I just don't know what would have happened if he could not have been admitted to Bolton. I shudder to think.

"I definitely think Bolton should become one of the super-centres and I've already filled in a coupon for the Back the Baby Unit campaign, even though I live in Middleton."

Proposals to develop a maternity, children's and neonatal super-centre at the Royal Bolton Hospital are are part of a £31 million project to improve care across Greater Manchester, East Cheshire and High Peak in Derbyshire.

It is hoped the changes will see an end to bed shortages in some hospitals and an increase in the number of staff with special skills.

If Bolton, which is the second busiest maternity ward in Greater Manchester, is chosen as one of the super-centres, cash will be invested in services.

But if it is not chosen, the current neonatal ward will close, meaning critically ill babies will have to be transferred out of Bolton.

To support our call for Bolton to be selected, simply fill in the coupon on this page.

The public consultation document can be viewed at www.bestforhealth.nhs.uk and responses can be made online or by writing to Freepost, Making It Better, by April 13.