Menu
27/11/2006
'Cot Locator' launched for critically ill babies
A system to find intensive care cots for sick and premature babies has been launched by the government.
Developed by clinical and professional experts, the National Cot Locator will allow nurses and clinicians to see at a glance where available cots are located around the country.
Around 40 level 3 neonatal intensive care units in England will be covered on the system.
Neonatal networks aim to provide 95% of neonatal intensive care for babies locally. However, in circumstances where babies have to be transferred outside of the local network and also to more specialist units, the cot locator will allow these transfers to be planned and co-ordinated way.
Commenting on the launch, Health Minister Ivan Lewis said: "About 17,000 babies a year require neonatal intensive care. On the occasions when a suitable cot is needed outside of the local network, a call to the National Neonatal Cot Locator will provide immediate up-to-date information about more distant options, making sure that these transfers can happen quickly, are effectively planned and can go as smoothly as possible.
"This will make a real difference to families and professionals seeking to ensure that babies and parents get the best possible care in usually very challenging circumstances."
Andy Cole, chief executive of premature baby charity Bliss, welcomed the announcement. He said: "We hope to see the cot locator have a significant impact across England on the crucial issues of available costs and transfers for babies in need of intensive care."
Over the last year, the average number of cots available was 957, ranging between 900 to over 1,000 cots according to demand.
(KMcA/EF)
Developed by clinical and professional experts, the National Cot Locator will allow nurses and clinicians to see at a glance where available cots are located around the country.
Around 40 level 3 neonatal intensive care units in England will be covered on the system.
Neonatal networks aim to provide 95% of neonatal intensive care for babies locally. However, in circumstances where babies have to be transferred outside of the local network and also to more specialist units, the cot locator will allow these transfers to be planned and co-ordinated way.
Commenting on the launch, Health Minister Ivan Lewis said: "About 17,000 babies a year require neonatal intensive care. On the occasions when a suitable cot is needed outside of the local network, a call to the National Neonatal Cot Locator will provide immediate up-to-date information about more distant options, making sure that these transfers can happen quickly, are effectively planned and can go as smoothly as possible.
"This will make a real difference to families and professionals seeking to ensure that babies and parents get the best possible care in usually very challenging circumstances."
Andy Cole, chief executive of premature baby charity Bliss, welcomed the announcement. He said: "We hope to see the cot locator have a significant impact across England on the crucial issues of available costs and transfers for babies in need of intensive care."
Over the last year, the average number of cots available was 957, ranging between 900 to over 1,000 cots according to demand.
(KMcA/EF)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 September 2012
Two Premature Babies Die In Hospital After Bug Outbreak
Two premature babies have died at a Staffordshire hospital as a result of an infection. A third baby is still in isolation after the outbreak at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS).
Two Premature Babies Die In Hospital After Bug Outbreak
Two premature babies have died at a Staffordshire hospital as a result of an infection. A third baby is still in isolation after the outbreak at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS).
18 January 2006
Doctors warn parents about infant sofa deaths
Doctors are issuing a warning to parents not to sleep with their babies on the sofa, after new research has shown a four-fold increase in infant deaths related to sofa-sharing.
Doctors warn parents about infant sofa deaths
Doctors are issuing a warning to parents not to sleep with their babies on the sofa, after new research has shown a four-fold increase in infant deaths related to sofa-sharing.
05 December 2012
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
21 May 2010
First Sextuplets Born In 17 Years
A mother has given birth to sextuplets, four boys and two girls, the first to be born in Britain for 17 years. The babies are believed to be fighting for there lives in the neonatal intensive care unit of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The tots were born last Friday, 14 weeks early, and the mother, Vicky Lamb, is said to be recovering well.
First Sextuplets Born In 17 Years
A mother has given birth to sextuplets, four boys and two girls, the first to be born in Britain for 17 years. The babies are believed to be fighting for there lives in the neonatal intensive care unit of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The tots were born last Friday, 14 weeks early, and the mother, Vicky Lamb, is said to be recovering well.
16 January 2004
Bedsharing with newborns can increase cot death risk: study
Parents who share a bed with their newborn baby could be increasing the risk of the child dying from cot death, research from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) has claimed today.
Bedsharing with newborns can increase cot death risk: study
Parents who share a bed with their newborn baby could be increasing the risk of the child dying from cot death, research from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) has claimed today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
