NICU at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital gains gold accreditation

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital’s NICU has received Bliss Baby Charter gold accreditation. The NICU, which looks after the most premature and sickest babies, has been awarded the accreditation after nearly six years of hard work and commitment.

The Bliss Baby Charter provides a practical framework for neonatal units to self-assess the quality of family-centred care they deliver. It enables units to audit their practices and develop meaningful plans to achieve changes that benefit babies and their families.

After submitting three audits, having an assessment and external assessors visiting the unit, the first gold accreditation in the east of England was awarded to the Luton and Dunstable NICU, the ninth unit in the whole of the UK.

Claire Adamson, Operational Manager and Lead Nurse Neonatal Services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: “We are so proud to have received gold accreditation for the Bliss Baby Charter, it is an incredible achievement for our unit and showcases our commitment to family-centred care. We will continue to strive to do our best for all our families and babies coming through the unit.”

Liz Lees, Chief Nurse at the trust, adds: “It has been a challenging few years for the team in the neonatal unit, and this achievement really recognises all the hard work and determination from every member of staff in the unit.

“Families coming through our unit can be reassured that they will receive the highest quality of care that meets individual needs, from the very best team.”