Addenbrooke's Hospital app supports parents of critically ill children
UKPulse Health Desk
Addenbrooke's Hospital has developed an app, My Picu Story, to support parents of children in its Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (Picu). The app provides information, communication with staff, and mental health support.
- The My Picu Story app was developed by Addenbrooke's Hospital for parents of children in its Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (Picu).
- The app offers information on hospital logistics, medical terminology, and allows parents to message staff and receive updates on their child.
- It also aims to provide mental health support for caregivers, directing them to resources and helping them recognise signs of distress.
Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge has developed a new app, My Picu Story, designed to support parents whose children are admitted to its Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (Picu). The hospital believes this is the first such app for Picu parents, whose children have a wide range of conditions.
The app provides practical information, such as parking details, and explains medical terminology used by doctors. It also features a section where parents can message staff and receive updates and pictures of their child when they are not at the hospital.
A key aspect of the app is to offer mental health support for caregivers. Dr Nazima Pathan, a Picu consultant who led the project, stated that the app helps parents recognise signs of post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, and directs them to support and resources. Addenbrooke's Hospital is reportedly working with other trusts interested in adopting the app.
Why this matters: More than 17,000 children are admitted to Picu units in the UK annually, and a significant number of their families may experience psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.
What this means for you: If your child is admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, you may be able to use the My Picu Story app for information, communication with staff, and access to mental health support resources.