MOTHERS of premature babies will be able to watch over their children even when they are lying in intensive care incubators in another ward at a hospital thanks to new video technology.
Eight cots in the intensive care baby unit at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy have been fitted with wireless cameras, with a live feed transmitted through a secure internet connection.
The mothers, who often require care themselves after giving birth to a premature baby, are then able to see their child in their incubator from another part of the hospital on a tablet-style screen.
It is hoped the mylittleone project, will help new mothers bond more easily with their newborns, even if they are unable to physically interact with them, and reduce anxiety caused by separation.
The feed is also broadcast to a computer in the nurses' station.
Dr Sean Ainsworth, a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at the hospital, said: "In Scotland approximately 10 per cent to 12 per cent of all babies are admitted to a special care baby unit because they are either premature or just too poorly to remain with their mothers.
"We hope that mylittleone will help to overcome some of the potential psychological consequences, for example the sense of isolation, by allowing mothers to see their baby when they are unable to be close by."
The project has been taken to market by the The Digital Health Institute, which was formed by the Scottish Government. It is hoped that as well as benefiting Scottish patients, the technology will be exported to hospitals around the world.
Justene Ewing, chief executive officer at the Digital Health Institute, said: "The birth of a premature child is a distressing time for mothers and mylittleone aims to alleviate some of the worry.
"This is the first product where we have collaborated with our partners to develop a prototype, research and evaluate it and bring it to market and with over 50 other projects in our pipeline, I look forward to launching more ground breaking projects in the months to come."
NHS Lothian revealed earlier this year that they were hoping to introduce similar technology at its hospitals, which include the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh which is home to the largest maternity unit in Scotland. It is believed that the cameras could even lessen the risk of attachment disorders between mothers and their babies, which are more common in cases of premature birth, developing after they are discharged.
A 12-month trial of the technology will be launched before its success is evaluated.
Dr Susan Kerr, of Glasgow Caledonian University, said: "Our plan is to explore the views and experience of parents and healthcare professionals who have used the technology. The information gathered over the next 12 months will allow us to make recommendations for the future development and use of mylittleone. The project will provide useful evidence to underpin the development of digital solutions in neonatal care settings, an area of priority highlighted by the Scottish Government."
Earlier this year, Health Secretary Alex Neil announced a multi-million pound investment in new technology that he said would avoid the need for hospital admissions.
He said the cash would enable more patients to use technology such as tablet computers, smartphones and other digital devices to monitor conditions such as diabetes, heart problems and lung problems in their own homes.
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