A new biometric fingerprint entry point system at The Royal Oldham Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will help parents of new arrivals have easier access to spend time with their babies.
Oldham NICU is the first unit of its kind in the North West to introduce biometric technology.
A scanner is used to capture a digital image of the fingerprints of parents with a baby on the unit. When access is needed, a parent simply places their finger on an entry scanner and authorised entry will be given based on existing information held on the system.
The new system will provide parents with easier and quicker access to see their babies whenever they wish whilst ensuring a secure, safe and robust system is in place.
Funding for the system was secured through the 2024 World Prematurity Charity Ball and will make a big difference to how parents access the unit.
Yvonne Fletcher, neonatal lead nurse said: “The bond between a parent and their child is a special one and through introducing this system it will allow parents to come and go as they please and can help them feel closer to their baby.
“We want to make it easier for parents to see their babies while at the same time reassuring them of our responsibility to create a safe and secure environment for us to care for them. This system supports us in doing just that.”
