FAQs

Within the UK it is commonplace for charitable funding to pay for a lot of hospital equipment. Currently, the funding and use of pulse oximetry machines is the responsibility of individual hospital trusts. A recent survey found that 28% of hospitals not currently performing the test, perceived cost as a barrier to doing so. At present, pulse oximetry testing is not a mandatory newborn test within NHS hospitals, and many maternity units do not therefore have the means to introduce these life-saving machines. For these reasons, Tiny Tickers aims to provide Pulse Oximetry Testing kits in maternity units across the UK which can then be used as part of standard newborn tests.

We have a lot of checks and balances in place to ensure that these machines are used efficiently and effectively once they are received. Hospitals are required to sign terms and conditions agreeing to their use, and effective data capture. We request that there is bi-annual feedback on results. All hospitals receiving machines are provided with training literature and contacts should there be problems with the functioning of the machines.

Alongside our machine suppliers, we are helping educate hospitals to use their machines. This ensures consistent screening and, based on clinical research, optimum outcomes.

Pulse oximetry testing can detect five out of every six babies who have critical Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) but have been born apparently healthy.

(Source: Plana, Suresh, Fernandez-Pineda, Thangaratinam, Ewer: 2018)

False positives account for 14 cases in every 10,000 when used with the pulse oximetry machines*. When compared against other national screening tests this is much lower than other tests.

*(Source: Plana, Suresh, Fernandez-Pineda, Thangaratinam, Ewer: 2018)

This campaign is for the placement of pulse oximetry machines. Donors may request their donations to go to a particular region but not a specific hospital. If all funds have been raised for a region, Tiny Tickers will use donations for further machines in other regions or where the need is greatest. We aim to fund 330 machines by April 2022. If, having satisfied demand for machines in the UK, we have remaining funds donation to this campaign, Tiny Tickers will use those funds to further our charitable purposes.

The machines we purchase are industry standard machines from two of the largest trade suppliers of hospital equipment, with whom we’ve negotiated significantly discounted rates. Machines of the specifications required can’t be purchased by individuals from these suppliers. However, any funds donated to Tiny Tickers can have a legally-binding restriction placed on them that they must be spent as requested, so the best method of funding the correct specification of machine in the most cost-effective manner is through the charity and by specifying that’s what you’d like funds to be spent on.

Due to the size of this project and the fact that we are placing these in conjunction with individual NHS Trusts, unfortunately it is not possible to honour machines in memory of a loved one with a personalised label.

Pulse oximetry testing as a newborn screening tool is a relatively new development, and one that many countries around the world are now either introducing or considering. In this country, it is currently up to individual hospital trusts to decide whether to offer the test to their patients – with recent research showing around 40% of NHS Trusts are doing so. We hope this project will accelerate the take-up of the test in the UK. NHS England’s National Screening Committee is actively considering whether to include the test as part of their national screening programme, so it may become a mandatory test in the future.

This test is simple and non-invasive. It uses a light sensor to assess the level of oxygen in the baby’s blood and takes a few minutes at no discomfort to the baby.

We recommend in the first instance that you speak to your midwife and the birth unit in which you are planning to have your baby. If they do not currently offer the test, we would be willing to fundraise for a machine for them. Please let us know by emailing pulseox@tinytickers.org with the name of the hospital and contact details of the maternity unit. We can then arrange directly with them.

For every 10,000 babies who are born apparently healthy, six with have CHD. Pulse oximetry can detect five – potentially saving their lives.

*(Source: Plana, Suresh, Fernandez-Pineda, Thangaratinam, Ewer: 2018)

All donations will go towards this project. Currently a very small percentage of donations (7% of each donation) is spent on the administration and costs involved in placing and ordering these machines.

Yes, we also fund pulse oximetry machines for the use of community midwives.