We are delighted to announce that Northumbria Specialist Emergency Hospital neonatal unit has successfully completed its Gold Baby Charter accreditation – the first in the North East to do so – and has demonstrated that there are sufficient procedures, practices, and facilities in place to empower parents and carers to be partners in care through joint decision-making and hands-on care. This facilitates a solid foundation for Family Integrated Care.
The accreditation was awarded in a presentation on 6 July 2026 – following an assessment which took place in April – attended by unit staff and Bliss Chief Executive Caroline Lee-Davey.
The Bliss Baby Charter is a practical framework that neonatal units can use to assess how well they are placing families at the centres of their baby’s care.
Highlights from the assessment included excellent family access to a psychologist; free food vouchers for families, including for siblings during hospital stays; wellbeing areas for staff and parents and the encouragement of siblings and extended family and friends to be cot-side – including siblings being encouraged to carry out baby ‘care’ on dolls.
Access to digital support and patient information is aided through the provision of donated mobile phones to parents who don’t have phones and developmental care packs are provided on discharge, including activities and a blanket.