Every year on 15 August, we celebrate International Neonatal Nurses Day, a special occasion to recognise and honour the vital work of our neonatal nursing workforce.
Across University Hospitals Tees, we are fortunate to have a diverse group of neonatal nursing staff who go the extra mile every day – with the ultimate goal of ensuring the highest quality of care is delivered to babies, so they can soon be reunited with their mums and dads in the comfort of their own homes.
To mark this day, we are sharing a small snippet of what goes on behind the scenes in the neonatal unit and the unsung heroes who are the pillars of the unit.
A small hidden area providing a large service
The neonatal intensive care unit at The James Cook University Hospital is often described as a ‘small hidden’ area providing a large service to unwell and premature babies in the northeast region.
Many of the expectant parents are not even aware of the unit until they use the service.
The neonatal nursing team cares for around 500 babies and their families in a year, who are often at the most difficult times of their lives. But the neonatal nurses work hand in hand with a range of other healthcare professionals to provide compassionate care and warmth to these families.
The team consists of 101 nursing staff, six healthcare assistants and nine advanced neonatal nurse practitioners.
They are supported by a senior leadership team, clinical educator, research nurse, a neonatal outreach team of a further five nursing staff, allied health practitioners, psychologist, bereavement counsellor, support staff and the medical team.
Neonatal nurse consultant Lynne Paterson said: “We work within a large team but each one of them is integral to the work that we do. Although we are celebrating International Neonatal Nursing Day, we could not do this without our multi-disciplinary team and all our perinatal colleagues.
“As a team, we are often looking after babies who weigh anywhere between 400 grams, which weighs less than a bag of sugar to four kilograms – highlighting our specialist nature of work”
Wealth of experience within our unit
The neonatal nursing team at the University Hospital of North Tees has looked after 263 babies so far throughout the year, with each baby requiring specialist level of care.
Some babies are born in the unit and a few of the babies are transferred to the unit, especially those who were being cared for at James Cook and now want to be closer to their homes.
The nursing team includes seven advanced neonatal nurse practitioners. These professionals are usually the first responders to any deliveries where babies require extra support or have a higher risk of delivery.
They can also assess and plan care for babies in transitional care, where the tiny tots who need a bit of extra support can stay with their mums in the postnatal ward as well as assessing and planning care.
Janice Atkinson, senior clinical matron in paediatrics, said: “We have a vast amount of experience in our nursing workforce of 29 staff, which includes two neonatal community nurses, a neonatal clinical educator, a neonatal digital nurse and a neonatal ward matron. We also have a trainee nursing associate who was a healthcare assistant in the department and has progressed into a new role for the unit.
“They really do go above and beyond to make a traumatic and unexpected part of the family’s journey as comfortable as possible.”
Meet the amazing neonatal nursing workforce
Gemma Wilkes
Gemma has been working in the unit as a neonatal nurse at James Cook for more than five years.
She loves her job and always has a never-give-up attitude that has made a huge difference in her career.
She said: “I love working with not only the babies and looking after them but also with the families. It’s the best job ever.”
“Our ultimate goal is to get babies home safely and back with mums and dads.”
Emma Nixon
Emma Nixon is the neonatal digital nurse at the University Hospital of North Tees – a new role for the service.
It involves helping the service roll out the use of BadgerNet, an electronic patient records system allowing patients to access, view and update care records digitally.
Emma, who qualified as a neonatal nurse 27 years ago, said: “I love the job and the team I work with.
“I have wanted to be a neonatal nurse since the age of 12 – ever since my friend’s babysitter talked to me about her own role as a neonatal nurse, I always knew it was the career for me.”
Lisa Foster
Initially joining as a neonatal nurse at James Cook in 2002, Lisa Foster has steadily climbed the professional ladder and now works as a clinical educator.
She works as specialist role focused on the education and professional development of healthcare professionals working in neonatal units.
Lisa said: “I love being a part of nursing development and improving the knowledge and skills of nursing staff and quality of care for our babies.”
Wendy Harris and Julie King
Wendy Harris and Julie King are two experienced neonatal nurses in the special care baby unit at the University Hospital of North Tees.
Wendy is now an advanced neonatal nurse practitioner, while Julie will also soon complete a qualification for the role.
Advanced neonatal nurse practitioners are the first responder to any deliveries where babies require extra support or where delivery is higher risk.
The role also involves assessing and planning care for babies in transitional care, including where babies who need a bit of extra support can stay with their mothers in postnatal ward.
Julie, who has worked at the hospital for more than 20 years, said: “This role comes with more autonomy and is a fantastic next step, allowing me to continue caring for our babies which is something I am so passionate about.”
Wendy, who qualified into the practitioner role in 2018, said: “I love being a neonatal nurse – it’s challenging but so rewarding.”
Lynne Paterson
Loved by everyone she meets and greets, Lynne has been working in the NHS for over 40 years now – the majority of them being dedicated to the neonatal area.
She joined James Cook in 2001 and has enjoyed every minute spent here.
The neonatal nurse consultant said: “I love being a nurse consultant because I get to support staff and develop services. I love my job because the neonatal unit is an extremely rewarding place to work.”
Jodie Jenkins
Jodie Jenkins is a neonatal clinical educator at the University Hospital of North Tees – the first role of its type at the hospital.
She said: “The role involves developing and delivering education and training for staff in the service, something I am passionate about.”
Lisa Shephard
Lisa, who initially started working at James Cook as a neonatal nurse, has transitioned to a senior role as the clinical governance lead.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoy being part of improving patient safety for the babies on the neonatal unit.”