Newborn babies with jaundice can now receive vital treatment from home
Newborn babies diagnosed with jaundice in Scotland can now receive vital treatment in the comfort of their own homes, thanks to the innovative “Hospital at Home” service launched by the country’s largest health board.
This new program allows babies who meet certain clinical criteria to undergo phototherapy delivered by a special sleeping bag-style garment that emits therapeutic light, without the need to return to the hospital.
About six in 10 newborns are affected by neonatal jaundice, which often requires several days of treatment. Traditionally, this meant readmitting mothers and babies to hospital as they struggled to settle into the home routine; this challenge has now been alleviated with this new home care option.
The Hospital at Home service, launched by the neonatal unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Glasgow, means babies can now be treated safely and comfortably in their own environment.
Alicia Hardie, whose daughter Cora Donohue was born three weeks early on Christmas Eve, is one mother who has welcomed the service, along with her partner Mark Donohue.
Cora was born three weeks early on Christmas Eve (Alicia Hardie/PA Wire)
Miss Hardie, from Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, said: “I gave birth at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and lost a lot of blood so had to stay in hospital for a few days afterwards.
“We were all ready to pack up and go home when Cora’s blood test showed she needed light therapy for jaundice. We didn’t know the Hospice at Home service existed at that point, so we stayed there for a few more days.
“We finally got home on December 30 but Cora’s jaundice level was still high at her next blood test and she needed lights again, so we went back to the hospital. That’s when the team told us about the Hospital at Home equipment.
“Within two hours of finding out, senior nurse Kerry was giving us everything we needed.
“After going back and forth for premature labor and blood tests, it was exactly what we needed. We were finally able to relax at home and start our new life together.
“Kerry was very supportive and the equipment was incredibly easy to use. After just two days of using the suit at home, Cora passed her blood test and is now doing great.”
As part of the service, the senior neonatal nurse visits each family at home each day to check the baby’s bilirubin levels, assess progress and determine whether treatment should continue.
If families have questions at other times, there is someone available by phone.
In the service, which started operating on November 24 last year, 40 people received jaundice treatment at home as of January 8.
The team delivering the initiative includes four Newborn Hospital at Home senior nurses, four consultants and a service improvement manager.
They currently have six units and treatment time varies from two to eight days but depends on the individual results from each baby.
Cora Donohue with Hospital equipment at Home (Alicia Hardie/PA Wire)
Kayleigh Cunningham, senior nurse at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Newborn Hospital at Home, said: “Hospital at Home helps us treat babies who may develop symptoms of jaundice around 72 hours after birth, as this can often happen.
“If a mother and baby have already gone home, traditionally they must return for a hospital stay.
“This can be distressing when families are just starting to settle into home life.”
The program was designed and developed by the hospital’s neonatal team following a successful three-month pilot study in 2024.
NHSGGC said community midwives will continue to screen for jaundice during routine home visits, ensuring suitable babies can be quickly referred to the new service.
