Five new monitors, which can help detect serious heart conditions soon after birth, have been given to Forth Valley Royal Hospital by Tiny Tickers, a charity that aims to support babies with heart conditions. The monitors are the first the charity have donated in Scotland and will run alongside the existing pulse oximetry machines which are used as part of the pre-discharge examinations carried out on all babies born in Forth Valley Royal Hospital.
A baby is born with a serious heart condition every two hours in the UK and Tiny Tickers aims to improve early detection, diagnosis and care of babies with heart conditions.
Robbie Duffy, NHS Forth Valley Service Manager and Senior Midwife, said: “We were already aware of Tiny Tickers because of their work and training within the field of heart defects and were delighted to accept their donation of additional oximeters for use within our local Maternity Unit.
“While we have been carrying out oxygen tests on all newborn babies born at Forth Valley Royal Hospital for some time, the extra machines are much appreciated and provide additional resources which help support the work of our staff.”
