The use of Dialysis machines on children smaller than this is not uncommon!
The fact that this area of the UK did not have a machine which could cope with small volumes shows how misguided some trusts are when it comes to the choice of dialysis machine.
Professionalism- not in my eyes!

Scott, Manchester,

Absolutely wonderful work by Dr Malcolm Coulthard and Nurse Jean Crosier at Newcastle Royal Victoria Informary. Doubtless
many more such machines will be manufactured around the
world for underweight newborn babies.

Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei UK Citizen, temp o/seas in New Zealand

What a fantastic story! I am sure that funding for these machines would be worth far more than any knighthood.

Chris Russell, Cullompton, Devon

I cannot believe in this day and age this country of ours possesses only one infant dialysis unit - the one created by Dr. Coultard and Senior Nurse Jean Crosier.

Let's hope the pair are justly rewarded and that their machine is put into production.

I hope the fund-raising is a huge success.

Doreen Porter, Stockport, UK

Wonderful story, congratulations Dr Coultard & Jean Crosier, you are the people that really matter in this world.
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Neil, Liverpool, UK

This guy deserves a pay rise. And an honour of some sort. A true hero

Unlike the incompetant Government. With an annual £120bn+ NHS budget, surely consultants should not be reduced to building essential equipment in their garage which can be only be used as a 'last resort' for obvious reasons!

anthony, Brum,

The few People like Dr. Coulthard is what makes this country great.

Zappy Corleone, Berks/Baghdad, U.K./Iraq

Bill Bird of Wallasey is right, Dr Coultard deserves a Knighthood and all the support he can get for this machine. Perhaps the Dragons Den will help. He and Jean Crosier should most urgently follow Michael of Edinburgh's advice to get a copyright.

helen, Norwich,

I think Bill is absolutely right - these guys deserve a knighthood but oh no - we better reserve those for people who are good at kicking a ball or writing music not saving a childs life!

John, Rhos on sea, Wales, UK

Perhaps a few more details on the machine would make this more informative, or at least an explanation of why the standard NHS device was unsuitable for such a young patient.

Matthew, Milan, Italy

Magnificent achievement - I salute you sir!

Andrew, London, UK

What a wonderfull story and an Inspiring Man.

The question one asks is Why are there not more of these machines to begin with?

It is begging for mass production

Jon Travis, maidenhead,

I'm a gnarled old cynic and even I found this story heart warming... I must be having a mid-life crisis or something.

garry W, London,

A wonderful and inspirational story. The NHS needs many more dedicated, practical and downright USEFUL people like the good doctor, and a lot fewer pen-pushing bureaucrats and administrators.

Chris K, Cheltenham, UK

Reminds me of a recent story about a neurosurgeon who used a Bosch DIY power drill to cut through the skull during brain operations because the expensive "proper" medical drills were unavailable. The world needs fewer pen-pushers and celebrities and more practical hands-on people like these.

Chris, Cheltenham, UK

This is the spirit that is missing from this country.... the whole industrial revolution was the result of such "in the garden shed" resourcefullness. First class.

John Morgan, Old Stratford, United Kingdom

This man deserves to be recognised for his contributions in the Honours list, instead of footballers or musicians.

wendy, London,

Thanks for this story. If you believe most newspapers all doctors are lazy, overpaid, upper-class twits who should be regulated within an inch of their lives before being replaced by touchy-feely homeopaths and caring nurses anyway. So much for scientific advances in medicine saving lives.

Ben, Hitchin, Herts

Absolutely inspirational. Congratulations DR Coulthard.

James, Welwyn Garden City, ENGLAND

I'm a medical student, and this guy has made me re-double my efforts. What an inspiration, we can all learn something from him

Tom, London, UK

Congratulations to DR Coulthard and Jean Crosier. I wish all doctors and nurses had their passion

Sharon, Wrose,

This guy deserves a Knighthood. Great effort.

Bill Bird, Wallasey, Wirral

I don't think newborn Dialysis machines are a new invention as such, from the story it seems that they exist but the NHS doesn't have the money to buy them and offer their services in all clinics.

John Swaine, Malta, Malta

I hope he can find a patent/copyright on the design of the machine and license it to other medical companies around the world. Then the royalties could be used to build more machines here.

Michael, Edinburgh,

Well done, Dr Coulthard, Jean Crosier and team. I just hope we could find ways to bring down the cost of medical equipement, thereby giving many people a chance to live and to enjoy the quality of life.
PS. I remember my student days in Burma when I was in a team making DIY anaesthetic trollies.

T. Han, Warwick, UK

How fantastic! Dr Coulthard & Jean Crosier should be celebrated for their initiative, determination and sheer professionalism as well as their very evident and overriding passion to help save those whose lives are at risk, no matter how young. Such a machine should be available in all hospitals.

Joe Salmon, Thirsk, UK