Red knitted hats for newborns who need extra care

Knitters and crocheters are being encouraged to create tiny red hats for newborn babies who need extra care in hospital.

The appeal has been circulated by staff from the maternity unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, as part of a new trial.

The project will involve babies who require extra observations being offered red hats as a visual reminder to staff.

Some knitted or crocheted red hats have already been donated, but more are needed.

The three-month trial was inspired by similar schemes elsewhere, which involve red jugs or trays being given to elderly patients who need help with eating or drinking.

The red hat trial was originally going to start at the end of last year, but will now begin on 27 January for three months.

There are 47 beds in the post-natal ward at the hospital including 10 in the high-level observation area.

Midwife Grainne Ferrari said: "Potentially all of these babies, for the first 24 hours, are receiving these extra observations so we could be looking at between 30 and 50 a day."

Two-hundred-and-fifty hats have already been donated but staff realised they would run out quite soon and more are needed.

Ms Ferrari said: "We have had lots of interest, but if this trial goes well we will need to have a continuing supply going forward."

The hats need to be 13-14cm (4ins) across the bottom and have a circumference of about 24cm (8ins).

They can be made from any wool or yarn and can be knitted or crocheted.

There is a box in the foyer of the Women's Centre at the JR to collect the hats.

They can also be given to any of the community lead teams or be dropped off at the maternity lead units at the Horton Hospital in Banbury, Wallingford, Wantage or Chipping Norton.

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