There will be a second reading in parliament for the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill on the 15th July 2022. BAPM joins with Bliss to strongly support this bill to make things easier for families at this incredibly difficult time in their lives.
BAPM champions the Family Integrated Care (FiCare) model in neonatal units where families are enabled to be primary caregivers to their babies in partnership with clinical teams. It has been proven that this approach leads to improved outcomes for babies including reduced mortality, reduced infection rates, reduced antibiotic usage, increased breast milk feeding, earlier discharge, reduced readmission and improved parental wellbeing. Involving families in care and decision making has been shown to promote bonding and to enhance confidence at discharge which have benefits for the long-term outcomes of babies and their families.
If this bill becomes law, parents will be able to spend more time on the unit with their baby without having to choose between providing the best care for their baby and earning a living.