BRADFORD’S special care baby unit is one of the first in the UK to use an innovative video-link bringing parents and their tiny new tots together - even when they are apart.

Thanks to the safe and secure technology, close-up images and sounds of neonatal babies at Bradford Royal Infirmary can now be beamed directly to parents wherever they are.

The new innovation called BabyView means parents are able to see their baby on a PC screen, an iPad or tablet and even on a smartphone, just by linking to the web address on their internet browser or by downloading an app.

For mums and dads who are apart from their tiny babies for one reason or another, this revolutionary system which is Data Protection compliant is not only bringing joy but peace of mind too, said Assistant Chief Nurse, Shelley Bailey.

“This system takes away all that worry and anxiety of not being able to see your little one every day – because now it’s possible,” she added.

A mum or dad’s simple video call from their own personal device is connected to a sleek 24” High Definition touch screen unit mounted onto a mobile cart which can easily be wheeled to the side of the cot.

It also means when parents dial in, they can talk to the nurses on duty at the time or the consultant if available and get an update on baby’s condition face to face.

Mrs Bailey added: “I know from a personal point of view what a difference this video link can make because many years ago, when I had my twin boys five weeks early, they were both poorly and taken to a neonatal unit. I was still on the ward, and all I had were two little Polaroid snaps. I didn’t see my babies for three days and even then I had to rely on nursing staff to wheel me down to neonatal to see them. It was heart-breaking being apart from them. My boys are now 25 and travelling on the other side of the world and I keep in touch with them thanks to the magic of video link so I know what reassurance this can bring. If only this had been around when they were born!”

Introducing the system has involved consultant and nursing staff, security and IT personnel at the Trust as well as getting support from IT specialists Cisco and funding from Bradford Hospital Children’s Charity. Consultant Chakra Vasudevan said: “We care for some of the most vulnerable and sick newborns and it’s a time of immense distress and anxiety for parents. This technology will go a long way in lessening this and we are grateful for all the support from the Trust to make this possible.”