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Initiatives and Research

Bedford Hospital

In Neonatal care we always strive to achieve the best possible outcome for each baby and their families. We perform audits on a daily basis and use evidence-based practice to guide improvement

Some improvement projects we are currently involved in are as follows:

  • Avoiding Term Admissions to the Neonatal Unit (ATAIN)
  • Transitional care
  • Delayed cord clamping
  • Reducing Necrotising Enterocolitis
  • Reducing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
  • Perinatal Mortality Review Tool
  • Optimisation and stabilisation of the preterm
  • Right baby born in the right place at the right time
  • BLISS baby charter
  • Baby Friendly Initiative
  • First Hour of Care
  • Neuroprotection
  • Early Onset Sepsis Pathway
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

Neonatal care is fast-paced and we always strive to achieve the best possible outcome for each baby and family. We perform audits on a daily basis and use evidence-based medicine to guide improvement

Some improvement projects we are currently involved in are as follows:

  • Avoiding Term Admissions to the Neonatal Unit (ATAIN)
  • Transitional care
  • Delayed cord clamping
  • Reducing Necrotising Enterocolitis
  • Reducing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
  • Perinatal Mortality Review Tool
  • Optimisation and stabilisation of the preterm
  • Right baby born in the right place at the right time
  • BLISS baby charter
  • Baby Friendly Initiative
  • First Hour of Care
  • Neuroprotection
  • Early Onset Sepsis Pathway
  • Cuddles

Current research we are recruiting in:

  • SurfON
  • Feed1

Research we have expressed interest in:

  • FRAGMIN study
  • NOWS
  • DIvO
  • EAGLET Project

Family Integrated Care (FICare) pilot

Following our Gold Accreditation with Bliss in November 2021, whilst family-centred care remains the ultimate objective of the Bliss Baby Charter, we as a unit at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital see Family Integrated Care (FICare) as the next step beyond this. We also know that it is a priority for services to work towards Family Integrated Care, with clear recommendations coming from the Neonatal Critical Review (NCCR) 2019, meeting the aims and requirements from the NHS Long Term Plan (2019) with the support and encouragement from GIRFT Neonatology National Report (2002) BAPM framework (2021) and Baby Friendly Initiative standards.

In order to co-produce this framework, our steering group at L&D, which includes a dedicated Family Integrated Care Co-ordinator, both staff and veteran parent(s)/carer(s), are working closely with Bliss, a development and Parent Advisory group to pilot the implementation of FICare on our unit.

We are passionate and driven to collaborate with Bliss to produce a FICare framework to use nationally as our ultimate goal is to achieve FICare status. More information including the ethos of FICare, our progress with the Bliss pilot and FAQ’s can be found on the Bliss website.

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