Support provided to families with babies being cared for at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Burnley General Teaching Hospital has been recognised through a regional award.
The team, which is part of Lancashire Women’s and Newborn Centre, has received Family Integrated Care (FICare) accreditation, which recognises neonatal units that are focussed on empowering parents as their baby receives treatment.
In NICU, it is
often necessary to separate babies physically from their parents as they are treated, which can have an impact physically, psychologically and emotionally.
To help the wellbeing of families and reduce separation anxiety, greater involvement is encouraged, such as coaching parents on how to care for babies, providing advice on how to give medication, take temperatures and day-to-day activities such as feeding and changing their children.
The accreditation helps the team to assure parents that high standards of integrated care are in place for their family at what is often a very difficult and worrying time.
Nadine Scott-Lindo, Special Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, said: “We are so proud to have received this accreditation. Having a baby in NICU is such an incredibly stressful time for parents and the team here at Burnley are always looking to deliver safe, personal and effective care. The family is always at the heart of everything we do and the accreditation is recognition of the high standards we are delivering.”
The accreditation was presented by the North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (NWODN) following a rigorous assessment. A panel of experts assessed Burnley’s NICU, including interviewing colleagues and patients as well as examining standards of practice. The unit passed with flying colours.