Parent carer family voice (KP)

In line with a person-centred philosophy, the FIC model highlights how parents should be regarded as equal member of the neonatal unit multidisciplinary team (Read and Rattenbury, 2018 and Petty, et al 2019). It follows that parents are a source of valuable information for the neonatal team to learn from. Parents are key partners. They know their baby’s individual likes and behaviours and should be approached as experts enabling them to be partners in care. Establishing a respectful relationship enables improved experiences, learning and outcomes for our parents, babies, and the multidisciplinary team.

Recommended references:

• Edney SK, McHugh G. Parental participation in nicu-based occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy: A qualitative study. Adv Neonatal Care 2021:25
• Petty, J, Jarvis, J and Thomas, R. Listening to the parent vice to inform person-centred neonatal care. Journal of Neonatal Nursing 2019:25 Issue 3.
• Read, K and Rattenbury L. Parents as partners in care: Lessons from the Baby Friendly Initiative in Exeter. Journal of Neonatal Nursing 2018: 24 Issues 1.
• The First Breathe by Olivia Gordon