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New improvements coming to Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital neonatal unit

A new camera system is in the works that would give parents access to their babies 24-hours a day.

You might have seen the progress on the outside of the Beverly Knight Olson Children's hospital in downtown Macon.

The crane is gone and crews installed windows on the new building.

Here is an update on a wing that takes care of the tiniest patients.

David Jackson is a proud father.

"You know, she was 2 pounds, 13 ounces when she was born, and she's almost 5 pounds now," he said.

Layla Jackson -- yes, she is named after the Layla in the Eric Clapton song -- is doing great.

But it's taken time, time that Dad can't always be by her side like he'd like.

Doctor Andrew Bowe says things will improve next spring.

"The physicians and the staff we've talked to that have this system say it's pretty much changed everything," Bowe said.

The new neonatal unit is a lot bigger than the old space and they'll add ten new beds stretched over two separate floors dedicated to tiny babies, but Bowe says there is also a new technology in the works.

"And that's in the form of a camera system where they'd be able to securely look at their child away from the hospital or at home or their mobile phones, login into a system where they can log into the camera 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," he projected.

"The fact that someone like me, you know, that still has to go to work every day and wants to be here 24-7, I could sit at my phone at my desk and just check in anytime I wanted -- that would be great," David said.

They could do more than just check in -- the new system would be interactive.

"Then it allows two-way messaging system where we can leave them messages sort of a portal and they can send us messages just as well," Bowe said.

Bowe says when the dust clears and the heavy equipment leaves, Pine Street folks will be pleased with the space left behind.

"I'm super excited about it," he said with a smile. "I think this is a dream come true for a lot of people in this area. I didn't have any problems with our old NICU except it was a little tight and small, and as we've progressed over the years, it's quite evident we're due for an upgrade."

The new natal unit will also have a family washroom space and a playroom.

The NICU will sit on the fourth and fifth floors, they're adding ten beds which would bring the total number up to 66.

The fundraising campaign is still going on. Right now, you can donate at Walmart stores and Love's truck stops.

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