14 December 2009
Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust's neonatal unit is ahead of the game when it comes to providing care to sick and premature babies and their families.
Last month, the Department of Health released new national guidance on caring for babies and families to coincide with Bliss - the charity for newborn babies - celebrating its 30th birthday.
The guidance, which every trust with a neonatal unit in the country is asked to put into practice, puts the needs of the baby and their family at the heart of the care the NHS provides.
It makes 17 recommendations to neonatal units up and down the country but the Trust's unit, which is based at St Helier Hospital, is already living up to the expectations of the future.
The unit already meets 15 of the Department of Health's criteria and staff are determined that the department becomes one of the best units in London.
Consultant neonatologist Dr Ruth Shephard is one of the Trust's experts at treating sick babies and has seen the unit from both sides of the fence: her two sons were treated there in 1998 and 2003.
She said: "The guidance from the Department of Health reinforces what parents already know: that babies and their families come first.
"It ranges from encouraging parents to be involved in making decisions to making sure that they've got free en-suite accommodation near to the neonatal unit so that they can sleep close to their baby.
"The guidance recommends that parental accommodation is located within a 15 minute walk but at St Helier it is literally seconds away, it's just across the corridor. Each room contains a double sofa bed, a TV, fridge and microwave."
Other recommendations which the Trust's neonatal unit is already providing include:
• giving the family chance to visit the unit and meet key members of staff before the baby is admitted (if admission is predicted);
• giving every parent unrestricted access to their baby;
• providing dedicated support and information for breastfeeding;
• providing ongoing care for the baby and family after the baby has been discharged, as necessary.
Ruth added: "It's about looking at the service and thinking what you would like if you were the mother or father of one of the babies on the unit.
"We encourage parents to participate in their baby's care, including comforting them and holding them during their time on the unit - it's about caring for the family, not just treating the baby.
"The guidance published today shows that we really are ahead of the game when it comes to what people can expect."
The good news comes on the back of a refurbishment of the neonatal unit in July, which cost £200,000. The work forms part of a major £2.8 million revamp of St Helier Hospital's maternity unit, which is due to be completed early next year.
