Royal Bolton launches neonatal unit app to keep parents updated

A new app has gone live at Royal Bolton Hospital’s Neonatal Unit that will keep parents updated and involved in their baby’s care.

© Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

© Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

vCreate NICU Diaries enables the hospital's nursing teams to reassure parents with positive video and photo updates.

Parents and families able to view updates through the vCreate app whenever they are unable to be on the unit, they can also ask questions and get important updates about their baby's progress.

When a new update is available, an email or SMS is sent to the family inviting them to securely log in and view the videos, photos and messages.

The app provides a multi-language feature and auto-translates messages to and from families to improve communication and improve access to care.

Janet Cotton, director of Midwifery at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘vCreate is a fantastic way of keeping our parents updated and involved in their baby's care, creating stronger connections between parent and baby.

‘This is a very important step in the provision of family integrated care, which will have a positive impact on the parents' experience when their baby is in our neonatal unit.'

App helps families stay connected to premature babies

App helps families stay connected to premature babies

By Liz Wells 22 July 2025

A new video messaging app has launched at King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) to keep families in touch with their babies o...

Neonatal unit recognised with UNICEF accreditation

By Lee Peart 11 July 2025

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s Neonatal Unit has achieved the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Stage Two accreditation.

BREAKING NEWS: National maternity investigation launched to drive improvements

By Liz Wells 23 June 2025

A rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services has been ordered by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting to provide ‘truth ...


Popular articles by Liz Wells