Helping Premature Babies Breathe

We’re thrilled to share that our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has a new video laryngoscope – an advanced piece of medical technology that’s already making a meaningful difference for the most fragile babies in our care - thanks to the support of Four Winds Foundation.

Demonstration of the video laryngoscope using a mannequin.

Our neonatal unit is an intensive care unit caring for over 1,300 babies every year. Almost half of these babies require respiratory support, and many need to be intubated and placed on a ventilator to help them breathe. Intubation is a life-saving intervention for newborns experiencing respiratory failure, but it can be incredibly challenging, especially when dealing with tiny, delicate airways.

A video laryngoscope contains a fibreoptic camera within the blade, providing a real-time image of the airway on a display screen. This allows the clinician to see a much clearer view of the baby’s anatomy, improving visibility and increasing the chances of a successful, safe intubation – particularly in difficult or high-risk cases.

The device is gently placed in the baby’s mouth to help clinicians locate the trachea before inserting a catheter tube, which can also be used to deliver critical medications. This speeds up the procedure, reduces pain and discomfort, and ensures babies receive the treatment they need quickly – helping to prevent further complications.

Having a display screen also makes the device an exceptional teaching and training tool. Senior clinicians can observe and guide junior staff during procedures, and the equipment can also be used with training manikins to develop and strengthen clinical skills across the team.

Dr Lindsay Joseph, Clinical Head of Neonatal Care, explains: “Intubation (inserting a breathing tube) is a vital and lifesaving procedure that is needed for very premature or unwell babies who need their breathing supported with a ventilator. It can be a challenging and difficult procedure and a video laryngoscope provides a much better view and success rate than a standard laryngoscope, particularly in a baby with a difficult airway".

Thanks to the generous support of the Four Winds Foundation, our NICU team can now perform this critical procedure with greater confidence, accuracy, and safety—giving our tiniest patients a stronger start and their families much-needed peace of mind.