The neonatal team based at Stepping Hill Hospital recently received the top level of national accreditation for a model of care which ensures close partnerships between midwives and families.

They received the top Green accreditation in Family Integrated Care (known as ‘FICare’) following an independent assessment from the North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (NWNODN).

FICare is a model of neonatal care first introduced in 2021, and promotes a culture of partnership between families and neonatal staff, enabling and empowering parents to become confident, knowledgeable and independent primary caregivers.

With the support of the neonatal team it ensures parents, baby and wider family members can be a family as soon as possible; creating space for necessary medical care whilst helping the nurturing bond and love they can provide for their baby.

FICare builds on the foundations of Family Centred Care (FCC), the core principles of which are defined in the Bliss Baby Charter of the neonatal support charity Bliss, and are supported by extensive research.

The assessors from the NWNODN said the Stockport neonatal team had made great strides in FICcare and should be commended on their achievements.

Nicola Pendlebery, Neonatal Sister and FICare lead for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said “Everyone in the team is really pleased we’ve been given the top level of FICare accreditation, which shows our absolute commitment to providing this innovative form of care. We look forward to providing this care for many more babies and families in the future.”