University of Exeter Medical School

Academic Institute

National Institute for Health Research

No

NNRD0052

The aim of this study is to improve the organisation of neonatal care in England, specifically addressing the tension between centralisation and localisation of services.

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical framework to address key issues in the configuration of neonatal services in England. The primary component objectives were to: Analyse neonatal service organisation and explore the trade-offs that are inherent in reconfiguration. Understand the benefits and costs, both to the NHS and to parents, of service centralisation and model the impact of different configurations. To use simulation, modelling and location analyses to understand the behaviour of this complex system and investigate trade-offs at the national level. Model costs and outcome changes associated with service reconfiguration. To explore the impact of service reconfiguration on clinical outcomes (e.g. mortality) and costs [e.g. neonatal bed-days, length of stay (LOS) and parent costs] and to undertake qualitative research on factors that families and policy-makers see as important in determining service configuration. Investigate the use of visualisation tools to communicate research findings. To understand the informational requirements of the key stakeholder groups and to research and develop effective communication tools to convey the research findings. Consult with the parents of neonatal infants. To ensure that the needs and concerns of parents and families are taken into account, to explore the best ways to communicate findings to parents and the public, and to involve them in decision-making in neonatal service configuration.

REC reference: 15/NW/0503

01/06/2015

Release

Removal of personal identifiers; replacement of dates with 'minutes from birth'