programme for Adele , in conjunction with the unit clinical nurse educator . This programme was completed before Adele began any work on the neonatal unit .
Included in the programme was learning about preterm development , understanding symptoms and non-pharmacological treatment of NAS , understanding behavioural cues and recognising signs of a baby that was becoming unwell .
Adele also spent six months attending occupational therapy-led ‘ Baby and Me ’ parent education sessions .
The neonatal nursing and medical team have had a very favourable response to this support from Adele , and since this time , she also uses time on the low dependency unit to speak to parents whose babies are nearing discharge , prioritising late preterm babies that I may not have seen .
She provides them with universal information , such as the EI Smart Parent leaflets ( EISMART ) that inform parents how to support their baby ’ s development at home . When needed , Adele can also provide some appropriate play and stimulation for post-term babies , again under my direction and supervision .
This has been felt to be an effective use of skill mix to increase the number of families that benefit from occupational therapy advice on the neonatal unit , who previously may have missed out on receiving this information .
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Words AMANDA LAWES , Clinical Lead Neonatal Occupational Therapy , Singleton Hospital Neonatal Unit , Swansea Bay University Health Board
January 2025 OTnews 25