BAPM is seeking additional dedicated and enthusiastic committee members for its new special interest group (SIG), the Newborn Brain Care (NBC) Group.
Join Newborn Brain Care Group
This multi-disciplinary group exists to promote the optimisation of newborn brain health for lifelong benefit. The NBC’s vision is to promote evidence-based, consistent and equitable brain-orientated care for all infants admitted to a neonatal unit in the United Kingdom.
The committee will make decisions about the group and oversee the work programme including the development of frameworks, study days and webinars.
In addition to the roles listed below, BAPM will be co-opting representatives from two allied organisations to sit on the NBC’s executive committee, namely the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) and the BAPM special interest group the British Association for Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-up (BANNFU).
If, following this round of recruitment, no allied health professional or nurse is elected to the NBC committee additional roles for an AHPPPs Representative and a Nursing Representative will be created.
Aims of the Newborn Brain Care Group
- Raising the profile of newborn brain care as a core component of neonatal practice.
- Promoting subspecialty interest among trainees.
- Supporting multi-disciplinary education and training.
- Facilitating research and innovation that translates into improved outcomes for infants and their families.
- Working with obstetricians and fetal medicine specialists to reduce brain damage before birth.
- Working with families, medical and nursing professionals and teachers who care for the child after leaving the neonatal unit.
About the additional roles and responsibilities
Clinical Practice Lead – responsible for a) promoting evidence-based clinical practice in newborn brain care across all neonatal unit levels, b) developing and disseminating standardised clinical protocols and care bundles, c) setting standards for neuromonitoring, neuroimaging and neurological assessment, d) surveying current practice across the UK to identify variability and areas for improvement, e) facilitating equitable access to therapies including therapeutic hypothermia and neuroprotective interventions, and f) promoting developmental care, family-integrated care and the optimisation of the neonatal environment.
Data Lead – responsible for a) developing and promoting the use of standardised and harmonised datasets for newborn brain care in line with NHS information governance standards, b) liaising with the National Neonatal Audit Programme and other local, regional and national audit programmes, c) supporting Operational Delivery Networks and neonatal units in accurate and complete data collection, d) facilitating data analysis, benchmarking and dissemination of findings, and e) supporting the creation of national and international data repositories to evaluate the benefits of brain-orientated care.
Education & Training Lead – responsible for a ) organising and delivering educational events including an annual study day, b) facilitating multidisciplinary training in newborn brain health for medical, nursing and allied health professionals across all neonatal unit levels, c) reviewing and contributing to the RCPCH curriculum and supporting non-curriculum educational programmes, d) promoting subspecialty interest in newborn brain care among trainees, e) compiling and sharing educational resources, case studies and examples of good practice, and f) providing guidance and support to families.
Life Course Lead – responsible for a) working with parents to optimise family life, b) working with professionals to optimise care before birth and after discharge, and c) working with teachers to facilitate appropriate educational structures.
Research & Innovation Lead – responsible for a) identifying key knowledge gaps in neonatal neuroscience and newborn brain care, b) setting a national research agenda for newborn brain care, c) supporting and facilitating multicentre research and clinical trials, d) supporting UK-based, peer-reviewed public or charity funded research, for example, by providing scientific advice during planning and or delivery, e) encouraging the next generation of neonatal neuroscientists through mentorship and collaboration, f) supporting the dissemination of research findings to NBC group members and the wider community, and g) promoting innovation in neuromonitoring, neuroimaging and neuroprotective therapies.
Trainee Representative – responsible for a) representing UK-based neonatal resident doctors, b) providing a trainee perspective, c) advising on education, training and curriculum development in fetal and neonatal neurology, d) contributing to any policy and guidance development, and e) working with workstream leads on common projects.
All committee members are expected to attend committee meetings, which will be held online 3-4 times per year.
In addition to the responsibilities above, committee members may join additional sub-groups to deliver specific projects or work streams.
Skills needed
- Knowledge and experience of brain-orientated neonatal care.
- Excellent communication, organisation and leadership skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of professionals.
- Commitment and dedication to support the SIG’s mission.
How to apply
Any BAPM member based in the UK can apply to join the committee, using the form below.
All applications will be reviewed by the Executive Committee for suitability.
You may apply for a maximum of 2 roles. Where any role receives more than one application a vote of Newborn Brain Care Group members will be held.
Deadline: Sunday, 1 November.
