BASINGSTOKE hospital is using a video and photo diary to allow families to see their babies being cared for in its neo-natal ward.

The hospital has responded to the Gazette’s article about a Basingstoke mum backing a petition calling for support for parents to be with their babies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As reported, Priya Brown wanted to raise awareness of the petition after continuing to suffer the trauma of being separated from her own baby six years after he was born.

The 37-year-old mother-of-two, from Cranbourne, told how she still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after her eldest son Finley, now six, was taken into neo-natal care when he was born prematurely at 31 weeks.

The same happened with her second son Dhilan, now four.

She told the Gazette: “The trauma of leaving my babies behind has never left me.”

She is backing a petition by The Bliss Neonatal Charity calling for parents with babies in neo-natal care to be prioritised for Covid-19 tests so they can be with their baby.

In response, Basingstoke hospital said it has introduced a secure video and photo diary, Vcreate, to “allow families to stay in touch remotely”.

It added: “The health, safety and well-being of the babies under our care, their families and our staff is our highest priority.

“In order to maintain safe social distancing of two metres between families, the number of parents coming into our intensive care room at any one time has been reduced.

“To achieve this, we ask that parents come into the unit one at a time, though exceptions can be made at the discretion of the nurse in charge to allow parents to support each other. We do all we can to ensure parents are able to stay as long as possible.”

The hospital added: “The guidance will continue to be evaluated in line with national guidelines.”

To sign the petition, visit here.