Two Glasgow neonatal units have been recognised for their outstanding level of care for new parents and their babies.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Princess Royal Maternity are the first units in Scotland - and the only level three neonatal units in the UK - to be fully accredited with the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Gold and Achieving Sustainability standards.

The UNICEF initiative is an accreditation programme that is recognised by governments and policymakers across the UK.

The programme sets the standards in care and helps public services to better support families so that all babies get the best possible start in life.

Glasgow Times:

The two NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) hospitals earned their new status by going above and beyond to provide care for families.

Gillian Bowker, a neonatal infant feeding lead with NHS GGC, celebrated the feat with staff.

She said: "Our neonatal teams operate with a collaborative understanding of what is needed to achieve success, and this is reflected in the award that we received today.

"We work hard together to create environments that make families feel at home, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. 

"Enabling families to have close and loving relationships with their babies is key to achieving these standards and impacts on babies and their family way beyond their stay on the neonatal unit."

Glasgow Times:

She added: "Central to all of this is a culture that values parents as the most important people in their baby’s life.

"The feedback that families give us is that it isn’t just their baby that receives care, they all feel looked after at a time when they need it the most. 

"The team does everything that they can to give families the best start in life. That’s worth celebrating and I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved in our journey to get here.

"We would also like to share thanks to Glasgow Children’s Charity for its support and contribution."

Janet Dalzell, the professional lead for Scotland UNICEF UK Baby Initiative, explained how significant the recognition is.

Glasgow Times:

She said: "These two units have created an environment where every team member is involved in providing the best possible care for babies and their wider families.

"Their operations and strategies have clear governance and reporting into the NHS Board and the Baby Friendly Guardian supports this overall process.

"All of this has ensured that there is a clear path that they have taken to achieve their Gold status and this has been supported by working collaboratively across the multidisciplinary team in partnership with mothers and families. 

“All staff members should be proud and acknowledge that their hard work goes further than the family’s time in hospital. The teams should never underestimate the importance that they have made on the lives of families.”

Glasgow Times:

Jenni Minto, the Minister for Public Health, added: “I am delighted that two NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde neonatal units have been recognised by UNICEF UK for the quality of care for new parents and their babies. 

"All staff members should be immensely proud that their hard work and commitment makes such an incredible difference to the lives of babies and their families by putting them at the centre of maternity and neonatal care."

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