A NEONATAL EARLY DISCHARGE AND HOME SUPPORT PROGRAM - SHIFTING CARE INTO THE COMMUNITY

Objective: The Neonatal Early Discharge and Family Support Programme ( NEDP) was an initiative aimed at providing extended care for families whose infants had required neonatal special care, thereby allowing ear lier discharge. Methodology: Two groups of families were examined; one before and one after the instigation of the NEDP. Hospital and commun ity service usage and psychosocial effects were examined. Results: Fam ilies who received support were able to be discharged earlier and room ing-in was unnecessary as support was provided at home. Visits to fami ly doctors for mothercraft issues were less frequent. Transport of bab ies from the Level 3 nursery to other nurseries in order to be closer to home was also provided by the nursing team, saving on ambulance cos ts and freeing their time for emergencies. There was no increase in ma ternal anxiety and infants were less difficult in the patient group. C onclusions: NEDP and family support programme is a worthwhile extensio n of neonatal intensive care.