Objective: To assess how UK neonatal units address parent communication, support and information needs during neonatal care and the early months after discharge.
Design: All units were invited to participate in a survey of practice and policy relating to the needs of parents with babies admitted for neonatal care.
Setting: Neonatal care, UK.
Main outcome measures: Proportions of units by unit level providing specific facilities, information, policies and support mechanisms.
Results: Facilities, information and support for parents vary and can be quite limited: units may have as many as 10 babies receiving intensive or high dependency care in one room; 24% have no rooms in which to accommodate one or two babies only; 96% have at least one room for parents to stay overnight, 27% of rooms have ensuite amenities; 72% have written information about the equipment used, 64 % on ventilation and 91% on breastfeeding; parents have free access to notes in 20% of units and in 14% parents are excluded from ward rounds; 27% have a policy on keeping in contact with parents, 47% did not have the services of a social worker, psychologist, counsellor or psychiatrist and only 15% have a unit-based family care nurse.
Conclusions: Elements of unit policy and practice that support family-centred care are variably in place currently and units need to address the gaps.