UHNM’s Neonatal Community Outreach team reaches 2,000th home visit milestone
University Hospitals of North Midlands’ (UHNM) Neonatal Community Outreach Team (NCOT) is celebrating its 2,000th home visit.
Launched in May 2022, the service provides support for babies and families in the community who need additional care following time on UHNM’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or transitional care.
The nine-strong team has so far supported more than 800 families, offering a seven-day service to help babies thrive at home by providing specialist feeding support, home oxygen management, phototherapy treatment for jaundice and monitoring growth and development.
Sarah Roberts, senior sister, said: “Any baby who has been through neonatal care is eligible for our support. Our role is to help families with the transition from hospital to home and then provide continued support once their baby is discharged. Without our service many babies would still be in hospital, and we make it possible for them to be at home sooner where they belong.
“We help with feeding, growth and troubleshooting by bringing a wealth of expertise to families at what can be a very daunting time. We are the link between hospital and home, and our aim is always to prevent readmissions and give parents the confidence they need.”
One of the mothers to benefit from the service was Karishma Hussain, whose son Adam was born at 25 weeks weighing just 2lbs 1oz.
Karishma, 33, from Tunstall, said: “Adam spent 107 days in the care of NICU and it was an incredibly difficult time, at one point we even thought we would lose him. When it came to discharge planning the NCOT service had just started and they were absolutely incredible. They provided daily visits, checked his weight and feeding tubes, supported me with his oxygen equipment and most importantly gave me the confidence to go out again and regain my life with my family.
“I have two other children, and thanks to NCOT we were able to spend the rest of the school holidays together and build the family bond. Knowing they were always there if I needed them made a massive difference. The service was so personalised, and without their support, Adam would have spent much longer in hospital, they were amazing.”
Sarah added: “I’m incredibly proud of the difference our team has made over the past three years. This really is my dream job, and the feedback we receive from families is brilliant.
“By offering specialist neonatal expertise in the community we ensure that babies are discharged sooner, supported safely at home, and given the best possible start surrounded by their families.”