Introducing multidisciplinary psychosocial and safeguarding meetings: Impact on two neonatal units

This report describes the impact and acceptability of weekly psychosocial and safeguarding meetings in neonatal units, emphasising improved multidisciplinary team collaboration, enhanced care quality and effective safeguarding. Grounded in Family Integrated Care principles, the initiative demonstrates the value of psychological expertise in neonatal settings, while addressing challenges such as resource constraints and highlighting areas for further research.

Dr Mel Wiseman
Neonatal Clinical Psychologist, University Hospitals Northamptonshire NHS Group; Child Health Directorate, Northampton General Hospital
mel.wiseman@nhs.net

Laura Delaney
Assistant Clinical Psychologist, East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network

Wiseman M., Delaney L. Introducing multidisciplinary psychosocial and safeguarding meetings: Impact on two neonatal units. Infant 2025; 21(3): 70-72.

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Keywords

psychologically informed care; neonatal units; multidisciplinary teams; psychosocial meetings; safeguarding family-centred care; family integrated care; FICare

Key points

Structured psychosocial meetings promote awareness of family-centred care for the neonatal unit team.
Multidisciplinary teams benefit from enhanced communication and psychological insights.
Resource optimisation and consistent attendance are essential for meeting success.

Also published in Infant:

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 3/MAY 2022

Psychosocial support provision for parents: an audit of UK neonatal units

Having a preterm birth and/or a sick infant that requires neonatal care is an emotionally traumatising event for parents. This is due to issues such as parent-infant separation, concerns for infant viability and the technological nature of the neonatal unit. It is argued that neonatal units should provide a varied and sustainable programme of psychosocial support for parents during the infant’s stay and after discharge. However, currently there is a paucity of knowledge about what type and range of support is provided within neonatal care. In this article we report on an audit of facilities, services and support that could address parents’ psychosocial support needs in UK neonatal units.