A new clinic dedicated to carrying out standard baby checks on newborns has opened within Blakeney Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).
The clinic will provide a private space for new families whilst routine baby checks are carried out, giving families the opportunity to spend time with a doctor or midwife, asking questions before they return home from hospital.
A baby check is a standard part of newborn care and these tests are carried out on every baby before they are discharged from hospital.
On average, 20 babies need these tests each day at NNUH, and they are performed by doctors and nurse practitioners who are specifically trained. Neonatal Health Care Assistants (HCAs) will also be helping to ensure the smooth running of the clinic, preparing new mums and babies for their clinic appointment.
Jenny Copeland, who lives in Dussindale, benefitted from the new baby clinic after the birth of her daughter Adelyn on July 26. She said: 'It was great to have a private space and time to speak with the doctor. We felt far more willing to ask questions and it was really good to move to a separate area within the ward rather than have lots of people around the bed at the same time.'
Dr Edd Broad, speciality trainee in Paediatrics at NNUH said: 'The new baby check clinic is working fantastically. It has transformed the baby check process to an incredibly streamlined system and the knock-on effect on patient flow is clear to see.'
Dr Priya Muthukumar, consultant neonatologist, said: 'We're delighted to have opened the dedicated Baby Check Clinic within Blakeney Ward.
'At such a special time for families, the new clinic will expedite the system of necessary checks, helping them to go home and enjoy time with their new babies more quickly.'
Amy Eagle, divisional operations director for women and children's services, added: 'We established a pilot baby check clinic on our labour ward earlier in the year which received fantastic feedback from new mums and evidenced a reduction in waiting times for mums and babies leaving hospital.
'We're thrilled to be opening a permanent baby check clinic and look forward to more mums and babies enjoying the benefits of this new service.'
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