GIRFT report outlines recommendations in neonatal care, including Baby Friendly
May 2022
The GIRFT Programme Specialty Report outlines key recommendations in neonatal care, including the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative
The GIRFT ‘Getting It Right First Time’ neonatology review provides an update to the NHS Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review (NCCR) and explores areas for improving clinical care and patient safety. Key recommendations focus on improving families’ experiences of care and developing the expert neonatal workforce, including strong endorsement of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative.
The review also advocates for parents as partners in the care of their infant and highlights the importance of improving early access to breastmilk for babies born preterm. Local and national funding for evidence-based programmes such as the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative is suggested in order to support improvements in these areas.
All units are encouraged to review the examples of good practise included in this report, as well as the excellent resources available through BAPM, MatNeoSIP and PERIPrem. For improvements in breastmilk and breastfeeding, units are encouraged to seek funding to undertake the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative neonatal accreditation programme.
It is strongly recommended that central funding is considered for the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative neonatal programme to match the commitment given to feeding support for the well term infant as well as providing structured support for improving family involvement in neonatal care. Funding is an offer for maternity services to support UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative maternity standards through the NHS Long Term Plan and there is a strong case for central funding for UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative neonatal accreditation.
To read more access the report here.
About GIRFT: Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is a national programme designed to improve medical care within the NHS by reducing unwarranted variations. By tackling variations in the way services are delivered across the NHS, and by sharing best practice between trusts, GIRFT identifies changes that will help improve care and patient outcomes, as well as delivering efficiencies, such as the reduction of unnecessary procedures, and cost savings. GIRFT national reports draw upon data analysis and discussions with the hospital Trusts to identify opportunities for improvement across the relevant services.
