Some 4,500 babies are born prematurely every year in Ireland, yet until now, the neonatal transport programme, which is responsible for bringing sick premature newborns to a hospital that can treat them, has only worked between the hours of 9am and 5pm.

Premature or pre-term refers to a baby who is born before 37 weeks' gestation. Around 6% of all births are premature. These babies require a higher level of medical care after birth and some will require neonatal intensive care and further support at home.

Since 1999, this country has had a neonatal transport programme, which is for premature infants up to six weeks of age who require an increased level of care not available at their referring hospital. This can include services relating to surgery, cardiology and neurology.

Most of these babies are transported to Dublin hospitals, although the programme can also transport them to appropriate units nationally or internationally as required.

However, while the service has been available seven days a week, it has only been available from 9am to 5pm daily.

Now the launch of a new 24/7 Neonatal Transportation Service is imminent, a move which has been described as a major breakthrough for premature babies born in Ireland.

"The delivery of this 24/7 Neonatal Transportation Service will be one of the biggest advances for neonatal care in Ireland. In order to provide world class care for premature babies it is necessary to have really good infrastructure as well as very good and fast transport services, so this an extremely positive step forward," commented Dr John Murphy, a consultant neonatologist and clinical lead for neonatology

He said that this move highlights the importance of organisations such as Irish Premature Babies, which offers help and support to families with premature babies.

"It is projected that following the launch, this 24/7 service will carry out over 400 transports each year and will create a strong network of neonatal care nationally," Dr Murphy added.

The imminent launch of the new service was also welcomed by Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, who noted that it would be available to parents ‘at a time of great stress and need'.

"This service is also there to support the work of healthcare professionals in hospitals around the country in ensuring that babies get the best care, in the best place, including through the transporting of babies safely from national centres of excellence to local hospitals to be close to home," she added.

For more information on Irish Premature Babies, click here