Specialist clinic gives newborn babies a helping hand at Whipps Cross
The first few days after having a baby can be an anxious time for new parents. At Whipps Cross Hospital, a specialist clinic is helping families get advice and support when concerns arise about their newborn's health.
Ducklings Clinic provides care for babies under seven days old who may have jaundice, be losing weight or struggling to feed. The team assesses around 1,000 babies each year.
Jaundice is common in newborn babies and causes their skin and the whites of their eyes to turn yellow. It usually clears up on its own, but some babies need treatment to reduce levels of bilirubin, a substance that can build up in their blood.
The clinic works closely with community midwives, who refer babies if they have concerns or if parents raise worries about their baby's health.
Based alongside the neonatal unit, it gives families a dedicated place to bring their babies for assessment. Staff check for signs of jaundice, assess how well babies are feeding and offer advice and support to parents. Where necessary, babies can be admitted directly to the neonatal unit for further observation, feeding support or phototherapy - treatment using special lights. Parents are welcome to stay with their babies on the unit.
The aim is to pick up problems early, reduce the need for hospital readmissions and avoid families having to spend hours in A&E waiting for assessment. This can be particularly difficult for mothers who have recently given birth, including those recovering from a caesarean section.
Mathilda Marie-Banane, neonatal matron at Whipps Cross, said: “The most important thing is making sure parents feel listened to and that any concerns about their baby are picked up early. We work closely with families and community midwives to understand what each baby needs and agree the best plan of care.
“Having the clinic right next to our neonatal unit means we can assess babies quickly and provide treatment if it's needed, while giving families a dedicated, welcoming place to come for support.
“It's a really rewarding team to be part of. Knowing we're helping babies get the right care early and making a difficult time a little easier for families makes it worthwhile.”
Parents who have used the clinic have also praised the care and support they received.
One said: “The team here are incredible, not only was our baby given the best care should have, she also was loved and cared for by incredibly capable nurses who taught us so much. As first-time parents we left feeling confident in how to keep our baby well and happy it was a true blessing!”
Mathilda previously worked as a community outreach nurse across Waltham Forest and the surrounding boroughs. She said working closely with parents and community midwives was central to the clinic's approach.
The team recently welcomed the BBC Radio 4 File on 4 team, which visited to speak to staff and patients as part of an investigation into the prevalence of newborn jaundice and possible reasons for an increase in cases across the UK.
Pictured: (top) parents with their newborn at Whipps Cross; (middle) Mathilda Marie-Banane, neonatal matron; (bottom) Ducklings clinic sign
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