Staff Development

The Neonatal Unit believes that only by encouraging and supporting the professional development of its staff will the high standard of care of the babies be maintained and improved. Our policy is therefore to be as generous as service needs permit in releasing staff for relevant study days and courses.

In addition, the Birmingham Women’s Hospital contracts with the University of Central England in Birmingham for post registration nurse education of interest to NNU staff such as Neonatal Intensive Care courses; the BSc. (Hons) in Clinical Nursing Studies with a neonatal pathway, Teaching and Assessing for midwives and nurses, and a Foundation Course in Counselling, Stand alone modules at levels 2 and 3 are also offered, as well as a number of 1 – 3 day short courses.

Staff new to neonatal care may undertake the ‘Introduction to Neonatal Care Course’, validated by the UCE, and, as with all new staff, are allocated a mentor and supernummary status for the first few weeks of employment, until confidence is gained.

Several of our staff have been seconded to various universities to undertake the A19 Course and now, as Advanced Neonatal Practitioners, are available to support all staff clinically and a Senior Nurse with responsibility for educational issues acts as a resource in all matters concerning training and development. A monthly journal club and clinical meetings provide further opportunities for updating and discussion.

This page was last modified on Fri May 07 2010