Daniel Zeichner MP has met two Cambridge professors and a Cambridge mum and baby today and saw their potentially lifesaving app.

The app which helps worried parents decide whether their baby needs a doctor is set to be adopted by the NHS.

Local MP Daniel Zeichner contacted the Department of Health after Professor Tim Cole and paediatrician Professor Colin Morley showed him the app. Now “Baby Check” has been added to a pilot scheme for health apps due to launch soon.

Tim Cole and Colin Morley carried out a large study of 1007 infants to assess the important signs and symptoms of illness to develop Baby Check. Research was undertaken in the Dept. Paediatrics, University of Cambridge to check the accuracy and acceptability of Baby Check.

Baby Check contains 19 simple checks which test for different symptoms or signs of illness.

Each check has a score, the higher the score the sicker the baby is likely to be. The app automatically adds up the score to help parents decide whether their baby needs a doctor.

This app is free of charge and is available on Google Play and on the App Store.

Daniel Zeichner MP said:

“I’m delighted that this app with a Cambridge link is being looked at by the NHS’s health data and technology team. This is a great app for new mums and dads. If your baby seems a bit off-colour, not their usual self, or has been sick, then there is clearly something wrong. But how wrong is the question? Will they be right as rain in the morning? Or does your baby need a trip to the GP? Could something serious gets overlooked? This app allows parents to make informed decisions and confidently decide whether or not their baby needs to see a doctor.”