North Wales neonatal nurses launch new support network

A support network to help families of children on neonatal units in North Wales has been launched by neonatal nurses.

Neomates North Wales is a new group for parents of babies receiving care in one of the region's three neonatal units.

The support network, which is open to all parents of children currently receiving care or who have previously had care on a unit, will initially launch as a Facebook group.

Group meetings will follow in 2018 once the new SuRNICC (Sub Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Centre) unit opens at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan.

The group has been inspired by the work of neonatal unit staff at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, which set up the original Neomates group in 2013.

The Facebook page will be administered by neonatal staff from Wrexham Maelor, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Glan Clwyd Hospital, and will offer a private space for parents and families to share their experiences of a child receiving care on a neonatal unit. It will also contain information on how to seek medical care if needed.