Each year, over 37,000 preterm infants within the UK are admitted to neonatal units. Despite advancements in neonatal care, preterm infants often require extended periods of stay in neonatal units, which can lead to parent-infant separation and increased stress. Supported discharge services may be helpful in reducing separation and stress. Unfortunately, neonatal outreach service provision differs substantially across the UK. Research is needed to explore service and practice variations to understand how these impact patients and families.
The aims of this study were to a) map current service models (e.g., intensity, components, and staffing) of neonatal outreach service provision to describe variations in current neonatal outreach services, b) to identify barriers and facilitators to delivery, and c) to explore staff and parents’ perceptions of these services.
Qualitative interviews were conducted with fifteen staff and ten parents with experience of neonatal outreach services across the North West of England. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis.
The findings identified variations in service models, and factors influencing service delivery which are useful in understanding how to improve neonatal outreach services. Barriers included a lack of commissioning, staffing challenges, and a lack of resources for effective service delivery. Facilitators included consistency in treatment approaches, financial support, and an updated documentation system.
These findings could help steer future implementation of neonatal outreach services, informing the adoption of additional components, and guide service improvements. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different neonatal outreach service models on key clinical outcomes.

If you would like to find out more about the project, please contact Dr Kathryn Berzins kberzins@uclan.ac.uk