New app helps families stay connected to premature babies

21 July 2025 - A secure user-friendly video service is keeping families in touch with their babies on neonatal units across King’s

A new video messaging app has launched at King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) to support families who aren’t always able to be with their baby.

The app, which has been funded through King’s College Hospital Charity, allows staff on neonatal intensive care units at King’s and the PRUH to send regular photo and video updates securely to families, allowing them to see play and therapy sessions, baths and feeding times. Parents and families can also use the app to ask questions and receive important updates about their baby’s progress.

Dr Numan Shahid, from Camberwell, and his wife Dr Hajar Husain are both using the app to receive regular updates on their four-month-old daughter, Noorulain Fatima, who was born prematurely at 27 weeks at King’s College Hospital. Dr Shahid said: “The app is an incredible idea – having updates on our little girl while I’m working is so uplifting. She is only a few months old, but she’s a fighter and we’re hoping she can come home soon. In the meantime, we’re so thankful we have this way to keep in touch when we can’t be in the unit with our daughter.

“We are profoundly grateful to the entire NICU team at King’s for their extraordinary care, dedication, and for giving families like ours this wonderful opportunity to stay connected and involved in our baby’s journey.”

Jade Clark, from Petts Wood, has been using the app to receive updates on her twin daughters Tennesse and Tallulah, who were born prematurely at 32 weeks, and are receiving care at the neonatal unit at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). Jade said: “It has been really hard to leave my little girls for any amount of time, so being able to keep in touch through the app makes a huge difference. Seeing photos of them both doing well is a joy, and gives extra reassurance when we can’t be there.”

Elizabeth Leader, from Bexley, has also been using the app while her new-born daughter, Ava, is cared for at PRUH’s neonatal unit. She added: “It can take over an hour to travel into hospital to see Ava, and being able to have photo updates means so much. We’re so grateful to all the staff for taking the time to keep us updated.”

Dr Anusha Arasu, Consultant in Neonatal Medicine at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “A stay on a neonatal unit can be one of the most stressful times for a family, but we can now support parents to be more involved, and more connected to their baby’s care, as well as making a positive impact in delivering family centred care, even when they are not able to be at hospital. The app not only allows us to share photographs and updates with parents, but helps to reduce separation anxiety and allows the whole family to create and build an emotional bond with their baby.”

Iona Joy, Director of Grants and Insight at King’s College Hospital Charity, said: “Keeping families connected is a vital part of our mission to make the best care possible at King’s. We are thrilled to support this initiative, which helps families feel close to their babies even when they can’t be physically present.”