A TRANSFORMATIONAL new service is being offered at Warrington and Halton Hospital to allow parents to foster ‘close and loving relationships’ with their poorly baby.

The new messaging service called vCreate will allow staff to send pictures, videos and messages to parents who are not able to be with their baby on the neonatal unit.

Updates are sent to the parents via a safe and secure system on its app, allowing them to ask questions and feel closer to their baby.

Through the app, families can watch on as their baby opens their eyes and taste milk, capturing precious moments for those unable to be in the ward.

The app has allowed families to reduce their anxiety through difficult times, and parents can download and share the videos and pictures of their child with family and friends.

“We strive to foster close and loving relationships between babies and their parents,” said Erica Wiles, Neonatal Unit ward manager.

“A stay on the Neonatal Unit can be one of the most terrifying times for a family but with the vCreate app we can support parents to be more involved and feel connected to their baby’s care.

“The app not only allows us to share photographs and updates with parents, but it is vital to reducing separation anxiety, supporting new mums with breastmilk expression and creating those emotional bonds with their new baby.”

The app is free and available in 14 different languages, allowing parents to auto-translate messages to and from the unit.

The Neonatal team has also introduced the ‘parent passport’ which allows parts to take the lead on caring for their baby.

“The vCreate app is an invaluable resource and it makes my work as a nurse more personalised,” said Rachel Duffy, neonatal sister.

“I love being able to write messages to parents from their baby.”