vCreate Diaries News
Join us in celebrating World Prematurity Day on the 17th of November!
29 October 2024
This World Prematurity Day, vCreate will join thousands of parent organisations, hospitals, non-profit organisations, healthcare professionals, societies, companies, politicians, media, and individuals from more than 100 forces to commit to action to help address preterm birth and improve the situation of preterm babes and their families.
World Prematurity Day on 17th of November is one of the most important days in the year to raise awareness of the challenges and burdens of preterm birth globally. The day was initiated by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) and partnering European parent organisations in 2008.
vCreate is proud to be supporting World Prematurity Day by raising awareness of premature birth among the wider community.
For NICUs considering raising awareness on the 17th November, here are some suggested activities to help you get started:
1. Host a purple party in your unit
Purple is the official colour of World Prematurity Day, so why not embrace the mauve, the grape and the lilac and host a purple-themed party? You could make purple cakes and encourage staff and parents to wear something purple. You might also consider decorating the unit with purple lights, providing you have a suitable space, and the ward manager is happy for you to do so.
2. Show your support by hanging your own 'World Prematurity Day socks line'
The hanging of a socks line (as seen in the above image) from a window as well as public places is synonymous with World Prematurity Day, as baby socks are a symbol for human growth from infancy to adulthood. Don't forget to ask permission from the building owner/s before hanging a socks line.
3. Bliss Little Lights Walk
Help light up the night for premature and sick babies by joining a Bliss Little Lights Walk or consider hosting your own Little Lights Walk closer to home. Bliss needs as many amazing supporters as possible to host walks or gatherings in their local areas.
4. Add Prematurity Awareness Month themed stickers to your vCreate updates to parents!
Why not add an extra special touch to the updates you send parents of premature babies this November? Before sending sweet updates to parents, you can add one of our prematurity themed stickers to the photo to mark this special month.
Harnessing Recorded Video Technology to Improve Family Wellbeing in the NICU
15 May 2024
With 1 in 13 babies born prematurely, many families find themselves spending time in the NICU. This is often an extremely stressful time for parents, and particularly so when they are unable to be physically present at the unit, causing many parents
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Carle implements video diaries service to support family engagement in the NICU
22 April 2024
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) provide critical care to over 300,000 babies annually across the United States due to a range of birth and health complications. With nearly 15% of all babies born in the US requiring specialist care, thousands of families spend time in the NICU.
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Video to Show What to Expect from your Child’s Follow-up Appointment
18 April 2024
The neonatal journey doesn't always end at discharge from the neonatal unit. Many families may need to attend follow-up appointments to check their baby’s ongoing growth and development. Parents often feel anxious about attending these appointments and can be unsure about what to expect. Understanding the nature of these appointments and knowing how to prepare beforehand can greatly assist families as they navigate this new phase of their child’s neonatal journey.
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Charitable funding for vCreate in the NICU
09 April 2024
vCreate NICU Diaries is often funded by amazing charities that support neonatal units. Thanks to the funding from these organisations, our secure video diaries service is used to support family engagement in the NICU and enhance the family experience with videos, photos and messages to keep forever.
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The power of parent voice on the NICU
28 March 2024
Parents’ voice in the neonatal unit is incredibly powerful. “At a time when they feel helpless and scared, and their parental role is disrupted, there are things they can do that have significant impacts on their child’s health and development,” – Melissa Scala, Neonatologist from Stanford Children’s Hospital
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Overcoming Language Barriers in the NICU
22 March 2024
The neonatal journey can be a daunting experience for parents, especially when language barriers add another layer of complexity. In such situations, effective communication between clinicians and parents becomes crucial for the well-being of both the baby and the family.
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#ThePowerOfVideo updates in the NICU
21 March 2024
vCreate NICU Diaries is a secure video service that supports family engagement in the NICU. vCreate enhances the family experience with positive videos, photos and messages to keep forever.
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Parent feedback on the benefits of vCreate
13 March 2024
Parents who find themselves in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with their little ones can often find the experience overwhelming. Both Moms and Dads may encounter situations where they are unfamiliar with the procedures, equipment, or medical terminology used in the NICU.
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Collaborative Care: The Impact of vCreate’s Neonatal Therapy and Follow-up Feature
11 March 2024
The neonatal journey doesn't always end at discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). For many families, it is a continuous process, filled with milestones, challenges, and ongoing monitoring from clinicians, parents, and caregivers.
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Top 25 NICU themed books with author, Sarah Ward, from Reading Through the NICU
07 March 2024
“The more you read, the more you know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss This World Book Day, we are thrilled to collaborate with author, Sarah Ward from Reading Through the NICU, on a list of the top 25 NICU-themed books.
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Asynchronous video transforms neonatal follow-up care for NHS Scotland
05 March 2024
Across Scotland, over 6,000 babies are treated in neonatal units (NNUs) every year with many requiring continued, remote care due to ongoing medical issues or to screen for early signs of adverse developmental outcomes.
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Secure video service helps UK baby hospice, Zoë’s Place, keep families connected
27 February 2024
In the UK, it’s estimated that there are more than 49,000 children living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Often, many of these children and their families turn to children's hospices like Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice for support.
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Paediatric units implement secure video service to keep parents connected with their children
20 February 2024
In the UK and Republic of Ireland, the paediatric health services support millions of children and their families, with more than 800,000 children under 15 years-old admitted to hospital annually and 20,000 children admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) each year.
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St. Boniface Hospital’s NICU implements video diaries service to keep families connected with their babies
13 February 2024
More than 120,000 babies are treated in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across Canada every year. With nearly 1 in 12 babies born prematurely, thousands of families spend time in the NICU.
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Video diaries service keeps families connected with their babies in NHS neonatal units
06 February 2024
There are over 100,000 babies treated in NHS neonatal units (NNUs) each year in the UK, with 1 in 13 babies born prematurely. This can be a hugely stressful time, particularly for parents and caregivers when they are away from the unit.
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New Video to Shed Light on the Neonatal Experience
08 December 2023
With more than 90,000 premature and poorly babies receiving care in UK neonatal units each year, many families experience a difficult and unexpected journey which they may not have the words to explain.
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Get crafty with your little ones this Autumn!
23 October 2023
We are starting to feel very autumnal at vCreate! As the leaves turn red and the temperature drops, we’ve been thinking of all the ways families can enjoy this special time of year.
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Support for neonatal families
25 September 2023
Being on the neonatal unit with your baby can be an overwhelming experience and a rollercoaster of emotions from joy and happiness to worry and exhaustion. If you’re a parent who is currently experiencing the neonatal unit or have in the past, know that there are lots of organisations you can reach out to.
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Get involved this NICU Awareness Month!
01 September 2023
September is Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month, a time when people come together to show their support for families with babies in the neonatal unit.
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