Virtual tours of the 13 neonatal units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex have launched today on World Prematurity Day (17 November).
Twelve months in the making, the tours will give new parents a step-by-step tour of the neonatal special care baby units at each hospital.
The aim of the project is to help alleviate the anxiety for new parents when they discover their newborn will need to be cared for on a neonatal unit.
The tours will help them visualise the unit including how to find it within the main hospital, the nursery set up and where they can rest or make refreshments.
Jennifer Lomas, Neonatal Manager for Kent Surrey and Sussex Operational Delivery Network, said: “Having a baby that is born sick or prematurely can be an extremely overwhelming experience for families. Listening to feedback from our parents, the network recognised the need to produce a resource that would help familiarise parents with the neonatal unit environment.
“We hope these insightful virtual tours, co-produced with parents, will help to alleviate some of the anxiety parents have described around not knowing what to expect when their baby is admitted to a neonatal unit.”
Becky Collins, Director of Maternity and Neonatal Services for Kent and Medway Local Maternity and Neonatal System said: “Having a baby is an emotional time, and even more so if your baby needs neonatal care.
“We want families to know our neonatal units are safe and welcoming places with caring and professional staff who are going to look after them and their baby.
“The tours are also useful for extended families and siblings, who can’t visit, to visualise where baby is.
“We hope these videos, which have been co-produced with parents who have been on the neonatal journey, will reassure others going through the same.”
Hannah Stone’s daughter was born prematurely at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury. After her experience she was keen to be involved with the virtual tours as part of the parent involvement group.
She said: “Having unexpectedly been told our baby would need to be delivered nine weeks early, I was suddenly aware the first time I would meet my daughter would be through an incubator in the intensive care unit.
“Having a virtual tour of the unit would have been amazing. It would have helped me, and my husband Andy, prepare for how we were going to meet our daughter, showing us what the room and unit would look like. It would have helped us manage our expectations of the unit – which would become our second home for six weeks.”
Louise Flanagan was also involved in the patient group for the virtual tours.
She said: “My son was two days old when he was transferred to a neonatal unit, and I had no idea what to expect.
“It would have made a huge difference to be able to watch a video of the unit we were going to. It would have resolved some of my anxiety, made me feel like I had a bit more control in what felt like a very out of control situation.
“It's been so rewarding to be involved in creating these videos. I know how hard the process is and these videos are important, and I hope will benefit other families.”
The virtual tours have been produced by Kent, Surrey and Sussex Operational Delivery Networks (KSS ODN) with the support of NHS Kent and Medway and acute trust teams.
View the tours on the KSS ODN website.