Family Integrated Care in the Neonatal Unit

We understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be for a family when their baby is admitted into the Neonatal Unit. Our Neonatal team are on hand to support family’s every step of the way throughout their neonatal journey. Working in partnership with families is hugely important to us as we know that your presence and participation in your baby’s care is also very important to you and your baby. One way that we support you doing this is through Family Integrated Care.

What is Family Integrated Care(FICare) and what does it involve?

Family Integrated Care is the philosophy that guides how we provide care for infants in our neonatal unit. The aim is to help parents form close bonds with their baby and leave the NICU sooner.
Parents are supported to be primary caregivers for their baby and active members of the neonatal team.
As well as being supported for individual bedside learning by nursing staff, parents are given the opportunity to attend education sessions which will give them knowledge, skills, and the confidence needed to care for their baby to the best of their ability.
Neonatal nurses are highly skilled and understand the unique needs that a baby requires while they are in the neonatal unit.
Nurses recognise the importance of parental involvement and will teach parents to understand, and help be primary carers for their baby.
As parents learn, they will become more confident in caring for their baby in the neonatal unit and transitioning to home.
We understand that parents know their baby best of all, so are encouraged to participate in medical ward rounds too.

Benefits of FICare

Reduced parental and infant stress
Increased parental confidence and understanding of their baby’s condition
Improved weight gain
Earlier discharge home

Parent Education and Awareness Sessions

These are small group sessions that provide parents with additional education to support them taking care of their infants in the neonatal unit and beyond. Topics include prematurity, resuscitation, developmental care, feeding, comforting your baby.

Reading to your baby in the neonatal unit

Talking, reading and singing to your baby will comfort and soothe them. It will also help them relax and build their bond with you.

The Scottish Book Trust Book Bug website has information about the benefits of reading aloud to both you and your baby, and some hints and tips on how to make it a great experience.

vCreate secure video messaging

What is it?

vCreate is an NHS Trusted Secure Video Messaging service that enables the nursing team to send you short videos and photos of your child, during those times when you are unable to visit the unit. The aim is to provide you with some reassurance and to reduce any separation anxiety you may be experiencing. We know it’s not the same as being with your child but hopefully it’s the next best thing.

How does it work?

When you are admitted to the unit, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form allowing us to record videos and take photos of your child and send them to you. Ask a member of staff for the consent form.

Once you have signed the form, you need to register for your own secure vCreate account at: www.vcreate.tv/unit/royalhospitalforchildren

Once you have registered, a staff member will activate your account so you can start receiving photos and videos. You will be alerted by email/text message you have a new video or photo and can access by clicking on the link and entering your log in details.

Sharing videos

You can share videos with extended family and friends. Click the ‘share for 24 hours’ button on the video page and enter the email address you want to share it with. This can be repeated to allow for more sharing or longer access to the video.

Once you have been discharged

You are able to download your videos and photos to keep forever. You need to login on the above URL address on a COMPUTER NOT A MOBILE DEVICE and click download. This will put all your videos/photos into a zip file for you to save to your computer. For data security and privacy reasons, we are required to permanently delete your account once you have downloaded the files so please make sure you are able to access them from your computer. To find out more, speak to a member of staff or visit www.vcreate.tv