New special sleeping bags allow babies with jaundice to be treated at home

King's College Hospital London's neonatal unit, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital have joined the Ickle Pickles Pledge. Through the initiative, the units will work with the charity to help raise funds for the specialist equipment they need most.

Through the new virtual ward, families can avoid a hospital stay. The service enables families to remain together at home while receiving 24/7 access to the virtual ward team and daily home visits to monitor progress.

Since it opened in November 2025, 18 families have already benefitted from the service, including Shannon Bilson, who was one of the first parents to use phototherapy at home. She said the equipment was easy to use and that she felt reassured she could give her baby the support they needed from the comfort of home.

Angela Burden, Lead Neonatal Advanced Clinical Practitioner, comments: "The beauty of the virtual ward and reason it is so effective is because there is a shared goal to keep babies and families together. We want to ensure that the baby receives the appropriate treatment and that parents feel informed, empowered and confident in their decision to manage phototherapy at home. The equipment is straightforward to use and support is available at all times, which supports consistent care and is reflected in the positive feedback we have had so far."

Since the service was introduced, babies requiring phototherapy have typically remained under the team's care for between two and four days from attending the clinic to discharge, matching the length of treatment for those receiving inpatient care.

Babies referred to the Neonatal Virtual Ward team attend the jaundice clinic on the Maternity Ward at Royal Derby Hospital. A Neonatal Advanced Clinical Practitioner and the home care team assess babies with suspected jaundice and, where appropriate, provide training and support for families eligible for home phototherapy.

Kirstie Daniel, Neonatal Homecare Senior Sister, says: "The last thing you want is to be spending additional time in the hospital with your newborn. The trauma of waiting around and worrying can affect breastfeeding, be painful post-surgery and there is a risk that you are exposing a baby who is otherwise well to viruses and other unwell children.

"We will only offer the service if it is appropriate, and the majority of the parents have been keen to be involved as it means they don't have to spend any additional time in hospital."

In recognition of the team's work to improve care and the experience of babies and their families, the Neonatal Virtual Ward team recently received one of the trust's Making a Difference Award.