Midwifery and Nursing Report

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Paediatrics and Newborn Medicine ‑ Midwifery and Nursing Report

The National Neonatal Transport Programme (NNTP) team from CWIUH conducted 180 transports in total. This accounted for 33% of the total NNTP transports (n = 546). The CWIUH received 35% of the national referrals for neonatal management that were transported by the NNTP.

The introduction of a dedicated lactation support CNS to the NICU, has resulted in significant improvements in: (1) mothers receiving assistance within the first two hours (from 0% to 20%), (2) subsequent support (27% to 79%), (3) the acquisition of colostrum within six hours (from 13% to 54%), (4) increased maternal supply at days 3, 7, and 14 and (5) increased breastfeeding rates on discharge, (from 68% to 92%, with a drop off to 80% due to COVID-19 related restrictions).

The postnatal ward liaison nurse continued to support postnatal staff in the care of late preterm babies and particularly babies with feeding issues, which traditionally required admission. The role also facilitates babies who require more supervised care for a short period. This initiative reflected positively in the National Maternity Experience Survey 2020, in that there were less admissions thus avoiding separation and facilitating bonding and attachment.

COVID-19 seriously affected Family Infant Neurodevelopmental Education (FINE) Level I programme facilitated and coordinated by CWIUH, leading to the development of an online course by faculty. The fourth Irish FINE Level II course was coordinated from CWIUH, facilitated online.

COVID-19 seriously impacted on our highly valued family centred care philosophy, as there was a significant reduction in the number of adults per room which was influenced by our infrastructure and an infection control requirement. However, the parents collaborated with us, thus achieving increased time with their baby without impacting on fellow parents. Video call for parents and baby was initiated. The reciprocity that was evident especially when siblings were greeting their baby was astounding. In an effort to increase parents’ interactions, particularly in NICU and HDU, we introduced a ‘Reading to your Baby’ initiative. Parents found this easy to do everyday. Two staff members graduated with the Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. Two others were facilitated from Galway and Limerick University Hospitals. Four staff commenced the programme. Six staff completed the Foundation Programme on Principles of High Dependency and Special Care; six completed level II, Neonatal intensive Care.