Neonatal initiative keeps families together by bringing newborn care home

The NOAH (Neonatal Oral Antibiotics at Home) initiative at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has pioneered a new way to manage infections in babies that develop before, during or shortly after birth. Traditionally, babies suspected of having these early-onset infections have faced a longer hospital stay, receiving IV antibiotics for up to seven days.

Now, thanks to the project, eligible babies can safely switch to oral antibiotics after as little as two days in hospital and continue their treatment at home, with support in place to ensure they are recovering well. The project is a collaboration between the Royal Devon, Health Innovation South West, the NIHR Applied Research Collaborative South West Peninsula (PenARC) and the South West Neonatal Network. These organisations are working together to support wider adoption and evaluation of the approach across other trusts in the region.

Carolyn Mills, Chief Nursing Officer for the Royal Devon, says: “We are pleased that this exciting initiative is already making a significant difference for families across our communities. In rural areas like Devon, where many families face long journeys to reach neonatal services, this initiative is bringing vital care closer to home. Being a key partner in this project allows us to further strengthen our relationship with leading organisations across the south west like NIHR PenARC and Health Innovation South West.”

Professor Stuart Logan, Director NIHR ARC South West Peninsular, adds: “These changes mean large numbers of newborn babies spending less time in hospital, which is great for families and reduces the pressure on neonatal units. It is a fantastic example of brilliant clinicians producing and using evidence which can improve the lives of newborn babies. I’m delighted that Health Innovation South West and NIHR PenARC have been able to help with this work and will now work with the team to spread this change across the country.”

Rebecca Whitting, Executive Director of Implementation, Health Innovation South West says: “This initiative is a powerful example of how we’re helping new ideas in health and care reach more of our rural and coastal communities, making a real difference to the people of the South West. It has been incredibly rewarding to bring our expertise to this project, helping to drive wider adoption of the NOAH pathway across the region for the benefit of even more families. I look forward to continued collaboration with the Royal Devon and NIHR PenARC.”