Glasgow Neonatal Unit Virtual Tour
The Glasgow Neonatal Unit virtual tour was created to help families, patients and staff feel more familiar with the unit before arriving. As a large and busy neonatal environment, the unit needed a clear, accessible and reassuring way to explain key areas, equipment, procedures and family support information.
The tour gives families the opportunity to explore the neonatal environment remotely, helping them understand the space and prepare for what they may experience during their visit.
Covers Glasgow’s neonatal unit tour with strategic filming, HDR editing, interactive hotspots and video translation — hosted via CDN for reliable, multilingual access.
Quick summary
Brief
The project brief was to create an immersive 360° virtual tour that could reduce anxiety, improve preparation and give families a better understanding of the Glasgow Neonatal Unit.
The tour needed to include detailed walkthroughs, educational content, video explanations, staff and parent messages, multilingual support and text-to-speech. It also needed to be easy to access online and reliable for families using different devices and browsers.
Our approach
The project began with careful planning alongside the neonatal team. We reviewed the unit layout and identified the areas that would be most valuable for families to see before arriving. These included patient rooms, medical equipment areas, family-facing spaces and staff interaction points.
Because neonatal care is a sensitive environment, filming was arranged around the rhythm of the unit. We used a flexible and non-intrusive approach to reduce disruption and help staff and families feel comfortable during the shoot.
What the tour includes
The Glasgow Neonatal Unit tour includes 360° photography, immersive video, audio, information hotspots, educational content and personalised messages from staff and parents.
These features help explain the unit in a human and accessible way. Rather than simply showing rooms, the tour helps families understand what they are seeing, why it matters, and what they may expect during their neonatal journey.
Multilingual and accessible content
The tour was designed to support a diverse patient and family population. Multilingual content and text-to-speech help make important information more accessible to people with different language needs, reading preferences or accessibility requirements.
This inclusive approach helps ensure that more families can access the same core information before visiting.
Editing and production
The final tour was produced using HDR image processing, colour correction, visual clean-up and immersive video integration. Information hotspots were placed throughout the tour to provide clear explanations at relevant points in the environment.
The result is a more engaging and informative experience than a simple static 360° walkthrough.
Delivery
The tour was hosted using online delivery suitable for fast and reliable access. It can be embedded into a hospital website and updated remotely, allowing the hospital to provide patients and families with an accessible preparation tool without adding unnecessary pressure to internal IT teams.
Process
1.
Strategic Planning
We started with a thorough planning stage, collaborating closely with the Glasgow Neonatal Unit’s team. We reviewed floor plans to identify key locations that required 360° images and those that would benefit from immersive 360º video integration. This included areas such as patient rooms, medical equipment areas, and staff interaction zones.
2.
Flexible Shooting Schedule
Understanding the sensitive nature of the neonatal unit, we arranged our shooting schedule to minimise disruption. Our team was flexible, capturing footage at times that suited the unit's daily operations and ensuring the comfort of both staff and patients. We used non-intrusive camera equipment to maintain a relaxed atmosphere during the shoot.
3.
Capturing Raw Footage
Our team captured high-quality 360° images and videos throughout the neonatal unit. This included detailed walkthroughs of important areas, educational segments explaining medical procedures and equipment, with personal messages from staff/parents to make patients and their families feel welcome and supported.
4.
Editing and Enhancement
The captured footage was then meticulously edited. We created High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, corrected colour discrepancies caused by different light sources, and removed unwanted elements to produce polished visuals. Immersive 360º videos were seamlessly integrated into the 360° images, ensuring a cohesive and engaging experience.
5.
Adding Interactive Elements
We incorporated strategically placed information hotspots that provided essential details and context throughout the hospital tour. These included explanations of medical procedures, introductions to staff members, and guides on what to expect during a stay in the neonatal unit.
6.
Multilingual Support
To cater to the diverse patient population, we ensured the tour was available in multiple languages, using high-accuracy machine translation for both text and video content. We also included text-to-speech to enhance accessibility.
7.
Tour Delivery
The final virtual tour was hosted using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), ensuring fast and reliable access from any location. The tour could be easily embedded into the hospital’s website, with seamless updates and additions made remotely without requiring intervention from the hospital's IT team.
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Outcome
Reduced Anxiety
By allowing patients and their families to explore the neonatal unit from the comfort of their homes, the virtual tour helps reduce pre-visit anxiety or if transferring from other neonatal units. Families can now familiarise themselves with the environment, understand the procedures, and feel more prepared for their visit.
Enhanced Familiarity
The detailed walkthroughs and informative videos provide a clear picture of what to expect, helping to build familiarity. Personalised messages from both staff & parents offer reassurance and support, making the neonatal unit a welcoming place.
Inclusive Experience
The multilingual support and accessibility features ensure that all patients, regardless of their language or hearing abilities, have access to the same high-quality information. This inclusivity is crucial in providing equal care and support to all families.
Conclusion
The Glasgow Neonatal Unit virtual tour helps families explore the unit before arrival, reducing uncertainty and improving familiarity with the hospital environment.
By combining immersive visuals, video explanations, staff and parent messages, multilingual support and accessible features, the tour provides a practical and reassuring resource for families preparing for neonatal care.
Understanding Your Needs
While excellent photography skills are essential, what truly sets us apart is our deep understanding of your patients' and staff's requirements in a busy healthcare environment. We prioritise patient care, adapting our shoots to your needs and ensuring minimal disruption.
Non-Intrusive Approach
We use flexible, non-intrusive camera equipment to help everyone feel at ease with the technology, resulting in relaxed performances by staff and patients. Their well-being is our top priority during shoots.
Empathy and Experience
With firsthand experience in neonatal care, we understand the emotions, anxiety, and stress that accompany each unique hospital journey. We are always sympathetic to the environment and collaborate closely with your teams to ensure a respectful and understanding approach.
Expertise and Technology
Our team's expertise, combined with the latest technologies, ensures that every virtual tour, video, image, and project is tailored to your specific needs, delivering the best possible results.
