The F1 technology helping to save children's lives

Children at Birmingham Children's Hospital have become the first in the world to be monitored using the same technology developed by the McLaren Formula One team for its drivers.

The Real-Time Adaptive and Predictive Indicator of Deterioration project (RAPID) continuously records heart rate, breathing rate and oxygen levels, to provide early warning signs.

Wireless sensors are attached the chest and ankle to measure vital signs, which are processed in real-time using McLaren's own data analytics programme.

Usually, vital signs are recorded by nurses every one to four hours on paper charts. Doctors hope continuous individual monitoring which gives more accurate information will lead to faster treatment - saving lives and reducing hospital stays.

Sarah Hunt’s two-year-old son, Lucas West, is being cared for at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he has already undergone two open heart surgery procedures, to help treat his congenital heart condition.

Sarah, from the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales, said:

Birmingham Children's Hospital is using F1 technology to help saves lives Credit: PA

Dr Heather Duncan, Birmingham Children’s Hospital intensive care consultant and RAPID study lead, said:

Technology developed by the McLaren F1 team is now being used at Birmingham Children's Hospital to monitor vital signs in real time Credit: PA

Ian Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer at McLaren Applied Technologies, said: