500th baby with jaundice treated at home after University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust service

Baby Ivy, who was born at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, was home in time for Christmas because of the service.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) has celebrated treating 500 babies with jaundice at home. 

The neonatal homecare team treats babies at home with light therapy rather than in the hospital allowing families to be home sooner and freeing up hospital beds for other poorly infants.  

Baby Ivy, who was born at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, was home in time for Christmas thanks to the service, which was launched in January 2023.  

Her parents said: “After being discharged on Christmas Day, we were both incredibly thankful to be able to provide phototherapy at home for her jaundice, allowing us to enjoy the festive period together as a family.”  

When community midwives identify a baby with jaundice they will meet with the family and, depending on the level of jaundice, give them special equipment which allows them to safely provide phototherapy treatment in the comfort of their own home.  

Claire Inglis, Lead Nurse Neonatal Homecare, said: “As the first trust in the East Midlands to launch this service, we are incredibly proud to have reached this significant milestone.  

“The neonatal home phototherapy service is a testament to the skill, determination, commitment and teamwork of everyone involved to improve patient care and experience.  

“I would like to praise the combined efforts of the advanced neonatal nurse practitioner-led jaundice clinic and the neonatal homecare team, who have worked extremely hard as a nurse-led service to keep families together in the precious early days and weeks.”  

The service currently treats approximately 20 babies each month safely at home. However, some babies may still require hospital-based treatment for the condition.