A mother whose son has been in hospital for more than a year has praised trials of a new technology that delivers medication and helps her “feel like a mother again”.

This cabinet, called a bedside smart cabinet, safely stores routine medications and alerts patients or parents when it is time to take them.

NHS Grampian describes the trial at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) as a world first.

Kirsty Mair’s 13-year-old son Jacob has spent the last 16 months in hospital due to various conditions. He said the new equipment took the pressure off staff and helped him feel more involved in his treatment, preparing him for his eventual discharge.

Three of the Kinetic-ID machines are being trialled at RACH.

NHS Grampian believes technology can promote independence and prepare patients to receive medication at home.

Lindsay Cameron, NHS Grampian’s medicines safety advisor, said: “Self-medication is about supporting individuals to take their own medicines while in hospital.

“It is not suitable for every patient or every medicine, but it can increase patient satisfaction and confidence, promote independence and self-care in a safe environment, and improve an individual’s knowledge and understanding of their medicines.

“This can help those already taking medications to continue self-medicating while hospitalized, and others to get used to new medications so they feel better prepared when it’s time to go home.”

Kirsty’s son Jacob has conditions including Arnold Chiari Malformation.

His brain is pressing downwards against his spinal cord, affecting his breathing and swallowing.

His mother said she was happy to attend the hearing.

“He’s spent most of his life in and out of hospital,” Kirsty, 39, from Aberdeen, told BBC Scotland News.

“As a parent, when you’re at home, you have a set routine for everything — medications, a bedtime routine.

“Some of that is taken away from you when you come to the hospital because you’re not getting all the medications at the right time and the staff are responsible for them, it’s a hospital and they’re just running off their feet.

“Since the new cabinet came in and I was asked to try it out, I was more than happy to help, and it’s absolutely fantastic.

“If you are late in giving the medicine, it will flash red.

“This takes the pressure off the staff, both for them and for me, because I don’t have to hunt for medication.”

She explained: “I feel like I’m getting back to taking responsibility for my own child. So that’s really good.

“He is on different medications and the medications are changing. Now I can make the medications myself and at the same time I am learning the dangers and dangers.

“I feel like a mother again. And it’s kind of preparing me for discharge, which we’re very close to. I want one for the house.”

He added: “The aim is to get Jacob home for Christmas. That would mean absolutely everything.”

Users and staff will make suggestions on how the technology could potentially be improved during the ongoing trial.