NICE draft quality standard calls for support for families of preterm infants

Children born preterm should be offered developmental check-ups to help identify any problems or disorders early on, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has said in its latest draft quality standard.

The draft standard aims to improve the follow-up care that is provided to families from when they start planning the discharge of their preterm child from hospital.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care at NICE, says: "Families can feel under-prepared and anxious when their child is born preterm. This draft quality standard outlines the high priority areas that need to be addressed so that families receive the right support.

"Identifying any developmental problems early on is key. This ensures specialist help can be provided before a child starts school that will help them make the most of their opportunities for school-based learning."

The draft quality standard is available at www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-qs10053/documents/draft-quality-standard-2

Public consultation is currently open and ends on 19 January. The final quality standard is expected to be published in May.