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Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal Services - How Do We Meet All the Recommendations?

Provision of a Cot Locator Service - Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal Services recommends eight principles for neonatal care with Principle 4 being specific for neonatal transfer. West Midlands Newborn Transfer Service (WMNTS) achieves the majority of the markers of good practice described in the document but does not provide a cot locator service which may be accessed at all time.

Overview of the Project


WMNTS offers 24 hour, 7 days a week transfer service provided by an Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP)/ doctor, transport nurse with a dedicated ambulance service. This model differs from the doctor led teams of neighbouring services. The current cot locator service can be accessed by telephone 09:0017:00 Monday to Friday but outside those hours the responsibility for locating beds lies with the referring clinical staff, in addition to their normal duties. The project considered a change in the current service model to continue to supply the markers of good practice and to achieve a full time cot locator service.

Gaining the support of Southern West Midlands (SWM) and Staffordshire, Shropshire & Black Country Newborn Network (SSBCNN) Boards to explore a change in service Working with current host provider to change service provision Learning how other transport teams are meeting the challenges faced Working closely with neighbouring transfer teams to develop new ways of providing care

Progress/Outcomes
All stakeholders agree that WMNTS provides a valuable service and that a fulltime cot locator service is a desired outcome. While a change in the current service to provide this and to meet the challenges of shortfalls in workforce may be necessary, this must not compromise the high standard of care currently provided by WMNTS. Different models of service are being carefully considered and the timeframe for change is longer than originally anticipated.

Leadership Challenges
Keeping WMNTS members informed of potential change in service & involving all in the design of a new service Utilising the experience of service users from a wide range of neonatal units

Contact Information Dr Alex Philpott WMNTS Consultant alexphilpott@nhs.net 0121 626 4536

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