A paediatric consultant at Barnet Hospital is the brains behind a website aimed at helping parents of young children and babies avoid and spot the signs of bronchiolitis.

Dr Su Laurent wrote the content for the website in order to increase awareness of the condition, which causes inflammation of the small airways in the lungs called the bronchioles making it more difficult for the child to breathe. Although it is often no more serious than a common cold, bronchiolitis is the most cause for infants being admitted to hospital in the UK.

Dr Laurent wrote the content for morethanacold.co.uk after she was approached by pharmaceutical company, Abbvie. 

She said: “Bronchiolitis is a very common illness in babies which a lot of parents don’t know about. The website is firstly intended to point those parents towards the condition if their child is unwell, but it’s also gives guidance to parents on how they can avoid their child getting it.”

As well as providing information and answering questions about the condition, the site also features testimonials and video interviews with parents whose children have had bronchiolitis. 

Dr Laurent, who has also contributed to Department of Health guidance on infant healthcare, added: “Parents who come to see me have often Googled symptoms before they even come in and when I tell them what’s wrong they go away and Google that. 

“So I believe that we as doctors should be putting information out there that is informative and accurate, because there is a lot of stuff out there that isn’t peer reviewed and isn’t accurate.”

View the site here.

Image: Dr Su Laurent (right) with a patient. 

Ends

Notes to editors

Media contacts: daniel.obrien1@nhs.net or call 020 7317 7740

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.