BASINGSTOKE hospital has been granted new equipment which can detect fatal heart conditions in newborn babies thanks to a campaigning mother.

Becky Chapman fought for over a year to get two pulse oximeter machines fitted into the maternity unit at Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.

She was inspired to campaign for the equipment after her little son Jesse was born with a rare heart condition which was missed at birth resulting in major open-heart surgery at just five days old after he was born with a heart the size of a walnut. 

Speaking with the Gazette, Becky and her husband Rob recalled feeling frustrated when she discovered that these tests were not mandatory compared to sight and hearing tests and often not used in hospitals at all.

She said: “I was really shocked when I found out they weren’t used in all hospitals, it’s a quick, easy and harmless test which can save hundreds of lives.

“Early detection for heart conditions is so important so that babies get the immediate life-saving treatment they need, and families get the right level of support."

When nurses became concerned about his breathing, he was swiftly taken to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Southampton General Hospital where he was treated for a suspected heart condition.

It was there that Jesse was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome which has left him with half a working heart as the right side of his heart is unable to function properly and send blood back to his lungs. 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Now Jesse is 17 months old, Becky explained what life was like caring for a son with a rare medical condition.

The 34-year-old mum said: “It was an extremely terrifying ordeal which was very hard to come to terms with and taking on that role of becoming a medical mum and all that entailed with your first child was really challenging. 

“But his cheeky little smile and beautiful face gives me strength he has got so much life to give, he’s such an incredibly brave little boy who has been through more than many will do in a life time.”

After his diagnosis, Becky found the charity Tiny Tickers which provides this life-saving equipment to hospitals across the country and worked with Southampton hospital to implement these machines in Basingstoke and Andover.

Jon Arnold, cheif executive from Tiny Tickers says: "We are truly delighted that we are able to help in this way and hope that it supports the team to continue to provide the best possible care for babies on the unit."

Tiny Tickers have now placed 157 machines in hospitals across the UK which indicate heart or respiratory issues quickly and effectively by measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Grazia Sinar, clinical matron for postnatal and neonatal services at Basinstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, said: "We'd like to say a huge thank you to Becky for helping us to secure this equipment through Tiny Tickers. 

"It's fantastic that after going through what was a difficult experience when Jesse was born, she has been able to do something so positive for other babies and their families. 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Many heart conditions go undetected and are left untreated until babies get ill, resulting in around 300 babies dying each year from Congenital Heart Defects.

She added: "Heart problems can sometimes be difficult to detect during scans and this equipment will help ensure that any possible issues are identified as early as possible after babies are born. 

"We now have five monitors across the trust, two at Basingstoke hospital, two at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and one at our centre at Andover War Memorial Hospital".

Becky and her husband Rob have since welcomed their second child; Harriet who is now three months old.

Becky added: “I am so happy that I have been able to find a positive outcome from this as every newborn baby in these hospitals will now be tested which have the potential to save lives.”