Question
Untitled item
S6W-23804 · Written Question · lodged by Baillie, Jackie
Lodged on
11 Dec 2023Heard / answered on
29 Dec 2023To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported statement by Bliss that “it is crucial for parents to be by their baby’s side in hospital, playing a hands-on role as partners in care with the medical team”.
The answer
The Best Start emphasises parents as key partners in caring for their baby and aims to keep mothers and babies, and families together as much as possible in the crucial early weeks, with services designed around them.
We have a number of measures already in place to support families who have babies in neonatal care including:Providing accommodation for parents to stay on or near neonatal units;Roll out of the Young Patients Family Fund (formerly the Neonatal Expenses Fund) to support families with the costs of travel, accommodation and food whilst their baby is in neonatal care;
AndRepatriating babies to their local neonatal units as soon as clinically possible.
In addition, as part of Best Start, Boards have introduced Transitional Care facilities in maternity units, which keeps babies with their mothers on the postnatal ward with in-reach support from neonatal staff, and neonatal community care, which allows babies to get home sooner, supported by the community team. We continue to look to find opportunities to minimise separation, whilst providing safe care.
We have a number of measures already in place to support families who have babies in neonatal care including:Providing accommodation for parents to stay on or near neonatal units;Roll out of the Young Patients Family Fund (formerly the Neonatal Expenses Fund) to support families with the costs of travel, accommodation and food whilst their baby is in neonatal care;
AndRepatriating babies to their local neonatal units as soon as clinically possible.
In addition, as part of Best Start, Boards have introduced Transitional Care facilities in maternity units, which keeps babies with their mothers on the postnatal ward with in-reach support from neonatal staff, and neonatal community care, which allows babies to get home sooner, supported by the community team. We continue to look to find opportunities to minimise separation, whilst providing safe care.
Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 Dec 2023.