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Southampton neonatal nurses praised for family-friendly care

Princess Anne Hospital staff promote parental involvement with neonatal care

Neonatal intensive care at Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital has won a mark of excellence from the Bliss charity.

The Bliss Baby Charter accreditation for premature and sick babies was developed by Bliss to help neonatal units assess their performance and identify improvements. It aims to encourage a focus on giving parents a hands-on role in their baby’s care.

Bliss chief executive Caroline Davey presented staff with a plaque and certificate marking their achievement following a two-year audit and evaluation.

Neonatal unit family care sister Lisa Leppard said: ‘To be the first unit in the country to receive this award is an achievement of which we are all immensely proud.

‘The Bliss family-friendly accreditation scheme has helped the team focus on the care we give our families, as well as their babies, and to make the necessary improvements to provide the highest standards of family-centred care.’

Research has shown that more direct parental contact can lower babies' stress levels, shorten hospital stays and reduce re-admissions, as well as promote bonding. For clinicians, it can improve relations with parents, free up nursing time, increase productivity and boost staff morale.

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