Neonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework

1.0 Introduction

The Healthcare Quality Strategy for NHSScotland (2010) aims to '…deliver the highest quality healthcare services to people in Scotland and through this to ensure that NHSScotland is recognised by the people of Scotland as amongst the best in the world'.^[1]

"Neonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework" defines the approach to the provision of high quality care for neonates and their families to which NHSScotland is committed. The following framework will support NHSScotland in the delivery of high quality evidenced-based, safe, effective and person-centred neonatal care.

For the purposes of the Framework, the patient group is taken to be newborn infants who require care at a level greater than standard perinatal care. It is recognised that not all hospitals have a neonatal unit; nevertheless certain elements of the framework included in this document will be applicable in any hospital providing newborn care.

The framework is structured in line with NHSScotland's Healthcare Quality Strategy and is presented under the six quality dimensions:

• Person-centred
• Safe
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Timely

Each Neonatal Unit in Scotland is responsible to its NHS Board for the provision of care in line with the quality framework and it is anticipated that each unit will work flexibly with their regional Managed Clinical Network (MCN) in order to do so.

This framework will inform all staff and stakeholders of the requirements to support the delivery of a high quality service.