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PARENT REFERRAL

Family integrated care

Family Integrated Care, or FiCare, is a term you may hear a lot on the neonatal unit. Here, we explain what it is and how it might benefit you and your baby while in neonatal care.

What is FiCare?

FiCare is a model of care which integrates you and your family into the team caring for your baby. As part of FiCare, you’ll be supported and encouraged to tend to your baby’s everyday needs.

 

It may appear daunting initially, especially when your baby is very tiny. But it’s important to remember that you won’t be expected to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.

 

What’s the aim of FiCare?

The aim of FiCare is to create a good working partnership between parents and the staff on the neonatal unit, so you become actively involved in the care of your baby – from admission right through to discharge.

 

You play a key role in information sharing and decision making relating to the care of your baby, and that’s why you’re encouraged to engage with the neonatal team as much as possible.

What are parent education sessions?

As part of the FiCare model, the unit will run parent education sessions where you’ll receive training on things such as tube feeding, giving oral medication, and taking and recording observations.

 

The aim of these sessions is to provide you with the skills and knowledge to safely care for your baby on the neonatal unit, as well as improve your confidence in caring for your baby – both on the unit and at home. Group parent education sessions are also a really good chance for you to meet other parents and support each other.

 

You may also be invited to take part in ward rounds and nursing handovers relating to your baby. During the ward rounds you’ll be encouraged to talk to the doctors about any concerns or questions you have about your baby.

Why FiCare?

Research shows that integrating parents into the team caring for their baby can have a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of the baby and their parents.

 

FiCare empowers parents to be parents on the neonatal unit, and it helps increase the parents’ confidence in caring for their baby. Evidence also suggests FiCare increases breastfeeding rates and reduces re-admissions to hospital once the baby has been discharged from neonatal care.

 

It promotes bonding and attachment and can have a positive impact on the parent and infant’s mental health.

 

Our peer support volunteers work with the neonatal units to support FiCare, particularly around parent education. We have a good working partnership with the North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network and we have been part of the special interest group involved in rolling out FiCare across the North West.