Friends of Portlaoise Hospital ​help the most vulnerable babies born in Laois hospital

​The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital have supported the rollout of the BabyTalk Initiative at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise with a donation to the Special Care Baby Unit.

The Friends say the contribution of books and a trolley will help bring the BabyTalk Initiative directly to babies and families receiving care at the hospital. The local charity says the HSE national initiative aims to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable infants through singing, reading and talking.

A statement said the donation from the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital will ensure that families and staff in the Special Care Baby Unit have easy access to books and resources that encourage interaction with babies during their hospital stay.

The books will be readily available, making it easier for parents to engage in reading and communication at every opportunity.

Deirdre Bradley, National HSCP Innovation Fellow for the HSE Spark Innovation Programme and BabyTalk Co-Ordinator, spoke about the initiative the Friends are supporting.

“As a Speech and Language Therapist, I know how important early intervention can be to a child’s development. By encouraging singing, reading and talking in neonatal settings, we are supporting a positive, family-centred environment that improves outcomes for babies and their families.

“Research shows that premature or unwell infants are at increased risk of language delays and are often exposed to significantly less language than their peers.

"The BabyTalk Initiative addresses this gap by providing resources, education and support to families and healthcare staff, ensuring that every baby has the opportunity to benefit from early communication,” said Ms Bradley in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Ann Reams of the Friends said the local group is delighted to support the initiative.

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"Having a baby in the Special Care Baby Unit can be a very hard time for families, and we hope that by providing these books and resources, it will help parents feel more connected to their babies and will help with the babies' language development.

"Supporting early development is something we are very proud to be a part of,” she said. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Launched nationally on 12 September, the BabyTalk Initiative focuses on enhancing early language development for babies admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units. 

It is also claimed that by supporting early communication, the programme promotes neurodevelopment, strengthens parent-infant bonding, and helps reduce the need for long-term therapeutic interventions.

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A statement said the support of community groups such as the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital plays a vital role in bringing this initiative to life at a local level. It added that their contribution reflects a shared commitment to improving care and outcomes for the youngest and most vulnerable patients.

The BabyTalk Initiative is supported by the HSE’s SPARK Innovation Programme and Libraries Ireland, and is being rolled out across 19 neonatal units nationwide.

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital is a voluntary organisation established in 1991. They rely entirely on donations and community fundraising initiatives to continue their vital work supporting patients.