'Hospital robot helps me feel like a mum again'

A mother whose son has been in hospital for more than a year has praised trials of a new technology which dispenses medication and has helped her "feel like a mum again".

The so-called bedside intelligent cabinet securely stores routine medicines and alerts patients or guardians when it is time to take them.

NHS Grampian is describing the trial at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital (RACH) as a world first.

Kirsty Mair’s son Jacob, 13, has spent the last 16 months in hospital due to the various conditions he has. She said the new equipment takes pressure off staff and helps her feel more part of his treatment, as well as preparing her for his eventual discharge.

Three of the Kinetic-ID machines are being trialled at RACH.

After a risk assessment has been done, medical staff input information into the machine including what drugs the patient is taking, the dosage and what time they should be taken.

The machine issues a reminder and a parent or guardian presses a notification button. They then scan a wristband on the machine, as it is locked, and this opens the medication drawer.

It can only be accessed by patients, guardians and staff who have the correct pass to scan.

It is not refrigerated so can only be used for routine medication.

NHS Grampian believes the technology can encourage independence and prepares patients for taking medication at home.

NHS Grampian's medication safety advisor Lindsay Cameron said: “Self-administration of medicine is about supporting individuals to take their own medication while in hospital.

"It’s not suitable for every patient or every medicine, but it can improve patient satisfaction and confidence, encourage independence and self-care in a safe environment, and improve an individual’s knowledge and understanding of their medication.

"This can help those already on medicines to continue to self-administer while they are admitted to hospital and others getting used to new medications to feel better prepared when it’s time to go home."

Kirsty's son Jacob has conditions including Arnold Chiari Malformation.

His brain is pushing downwards towards his spinal cord affecting his breathing and swallowing.

His mother said she was happy to take part in the trial.

"He has spent most of his life in and out of hospital," Kirsty, 39, of Aberdeen, told BBC Scotland News.

"Being a parent, obviously when you're at home you've got a set routine for everything - medications, a bedtime routine.

"When you come into hospital, some of that is taken away, because you can't obviously get all the medications at the right time, and the staff are in charge of them, it's a hospital and they are so run off their feet.

"So since the new cabinet has come on the go and I got asked to trial it, I was more than happy to help. And it's just absolutely brilliant.

"If you’re late giving medication it flashes up red.

"It takes pressure off the staff, for them and me, because I don't have to go chasing for medication."

She explained: "I just feel I'm back being responsible for my own child. So it's really good.

"He's on different medications, and medications change. Now I get to do the medications myself, and also learn about the hazards and dangers.

"I just feel like a mum again. And it kind of preps me for being discharged which we are close to. I want one for the house.”

She added: "The aim is to hopefully get Jacob home for Christmas. It would mean absolutely everything."

Users and staff will make suggestions during the ongoing trial about how the technology could potentially be improved.