It’s a worrying time for new parents.

With Cork University Maternity Hospital following strict HSE guidelines to protect patients from Covid-19, women preparing to be induced or in labour can have only one nominated companion or visitor.

Only one parent is allowed to visit a baby in the Neonatal Care Intensive Unit for now, as healthcare professionals double down on efforts to stop the spread of the disease.

Visitor restrictions are in place to reduce footfall and keep our patients and staff safe. One companion can join a mother when she is in labour or called for c-section. Latest patient notice from Clinical Director, Prof. John R. Higgins below & online https://t.co/gbqrj9DCTe pic.twitter.com/LSgoLWNzJp

— Cork University Maternity Hospital (@CorkCumh) April 2, 2020

With that in mind, the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork in collaboration with Cork University Maternity Hospital have introduced a secure video messaging platform to allow parents to keep an eye on their new baby from home.

Here’s how it works…

The vCreate platform from the NICU allows staff, coordinated by Neonatal Nurse Manager, Lucille Bradfield, to record short video messages and updates of each baby, which can then be sent directly and securely to parents.

Parents can easily create a free account that is linked directly to their baby, allowing them to download videos to share with siblings, grandparents and other family members.

“This is a fantastic initiative which we hope will go some way to reducing the significant stress that parents are now facing.” said Prof Gene Dempsey, Consultant Neonatologist at CUMH and Principal Investigator at INFANT, UCC.

To provide comfort to parents during this worrying time, in collaboration with @CorkCumh we have introduced @vcreate a secure video messaging platform to the Neonatal Unit allowing staff to send videos and updates of each baby to families 💜

Read more: https://t.co/BWTuOTDeKS pic.twitter.com/CDu89hdAPL

— INFANT Centre (@infantcentre) April 2, 2020

“Whether it’s for a day or two admission, or indeed many months for our most immature babies, we believe this system, along with its educational material, will alleviate some of the worries that families face in these difficult times,”

Nicola Carey is a parent whose son is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her family have been using the virtual visitation platform to check on his progress. “It is great, as his Dad can see the progress he is making on a daily basis. It is great to see him in the morning before I visit.” she said.

“It has been amazing for the anxious grandparents to see him and know he is doing well.”