In May, a group of NNA representatives travelled to Denmark for COINN 2024. Below we hear from two of them – Wales Committee representative Rhian Smith and grant winner Victoria Craig – as they reflect on the conference.
Rhian Smith – Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner & Representative for the NNA Wales regional group
In May I was fortunate to be supported by the Neonatal Nurses Association to attend the Council of International Neonatal Nurses conference in Aalborg (Denmark). Here I would like to offer a brief reflection on my time at the conference, I am very happy for you to contact me if you have any questions: rhian.smith3@wales.nhs.uk
The theme of the conference was ‘supporting closeness-building relations’ and the conference began, as I believe all healthcare conferences should, with the voice of the patient, or in this case, the patient’s mother. The story was not a happy one, she talked about lengthy times where she was not able to be close to her premature baby whether that be because he was imprisoned in his incubator, or because she was allocated such short periods of time when she was allowed to visit. She talked about not being able to feel emotional closeness either as the information that was shared with her was limited and her precious expressed breast milk was disposed of as ‘not good’. This story resonated with the whole audience and she rightly got a standing ovation. It was from a different time, her son is now a young adult, but some things have not changed, parents are still waiting at the door of the neonatal unit to be allowed in, wondering whether the delay is because their baby is unwell. She offered the challenge about what could be done to break down the barriers that still exist?
The days generally began with plenary sessions and then a varied series of talks and workshops in breakout sessions. There were often times where I wanted to be in 2 or 3 different rooms at a time. The conference really helped to make the world feel like a smaller place as conversations took place across a table that made connections from Canada to Kenya, Denmark to South Africa, Australia to the UK. All with a shared goal of giving excellent care to our small and sick patients. With these worldwide connections we were challenged to consider the importance of defining the role of ‘neonatal nurse’ and ensuring that nurses were able to access quality education for their role to enable them to give evidence-based care. We were similarly challenged to ensure that neonatal nurses who live and work in low and middle income countries are supported to continue where they are a very precious resource and not be attracted by overseas recruitment schemes to higher income countries.
The conversations that took place outside of the sessions were equally valuable, conversations with companies who manufacture for the neonatal unit, conversations about what we had just heard in a session, or just how good the Danish pastries were! All of these were about making connections in our shared vision.
One particular conversation meant a lot to me, it was with Dr Karen Walker who is the president of COINN. She spoke on the first morning about getting to know each other, about breaking down barriers and sharing the experience of conference with each other. My conversation with her was at the end of day two and also involved two other UK delegates. She took the time to speak to each of us, to learn about what our areas of interest were. We weren’t to know that she valued that conversation so much that she included aspects of it in her presentation on the third day. That conversation also had an impact on me as I was feeling rather overwhelmed at the thought of returning to normal life with its challenges. I was encouraged to try to ‘do one little thing every day’ to make the working or caring environment just a little bit better.
Aside from the conference I also made friends and connections with NNA members from across the UK and NI and am so grateful for this amazing opportunity.
Victoria Craig – Neonatal Nurse and PhD student & NNA Professional Development Grant Winner
Thanks to the Neonatal Nurse Association, I attended the COINN 2024 in Aalborg. The three-day conference was an absolute privilege to attend. I met amazing new friends and chatted to people who were previously names on papers or who I followed on twitter. To hear the wonderful Alex Mancini-Smith and Marsha Campbell-Yeo speak in-person was a particular highlight for me.
I had the opportunity to chat to Professor Karen Walker, President of COINN. Her genuine interest in what I was doing and hoping to achieve affirmed that I can make a difference to the lives of preterm infants and their families. As we were all reminded in the opening ceremony – we are nurses for life, to be advocates for infants and families and collaborate with others to enhance this specialist area of nursing. The adage “we’ve always done it this way” was discouraged, encouraging neonatal nurses that we can achieve more if only we try.
The conference affirmed that we have come so far in our practice in Northern Ireland. Some countries represented have achieved more, and they inspire as they pave the way forward. Other countries are less fortunate, with fewer nurses and less specialist equipment, and they humble us as we don’t always appreciate what we have. The theme of the conference was supporting closeness and building relations. With so many fabulous speakers presenting their research or work specifically in the areas of breastfeeding, preventing separation and the role of the father in the NNU, this was certainly addressed and provided lots to think about and share with our NNUs on our return home.
Thank you for the amazing opportunity!
COINN 2024 may be over, but if you would like the opportunity to come together and share ideas with other neonatal professionals, book your place at our ANNP Conference and NNA Annual Conference today!

My name is Dr. Julia Petty, and I am a nurse lecturer specialising in children’s nursing with a particular interest in neonatal care. My nursing career in paediatric and neonatal clinical nursing practice began after a BSc Hons degree in Psychology at Warwick University, when I moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Here, I trained in children’s and adult nursing before working there for many years in children’s and neonatal surgical care. I then gained my neonatal nursing qualification at St George’s NHS Trust London and worked at the Whittington NHS Trust NICU before moving back to Great Ormond Street for a senior education role on NICU where I worked until 2001. I then worked as Senior Lecturer at City University, London for 12 years leading the neonatal nursing education portfolio. I studied for a MSc, a PGCE and MA in academic practice during this time, In 2013, I moved to the University of Hertfordshire where my role is Associate Professor (learning and teaching) and Senior lecturer child nursing. I teach on the BSc Hons nursing and master’s degree programmes including leadership of modules, face-to-face/online teaching, assessing and supervision of students at all levels up to doctorate level. I am also research active and have completed a Doctorate in Education. As a nurse, educator and post-doctorate researcher, my interests focus on parents’ premature birth experiences, supporting parents in the transition home from NICU, exploring communication needs of neonates and their carers and studying the educational value of digital storytelling. This combination and variety of roles enriches my working life and brings together my experience as a child / neonatal nurse, educator and researcher. My role and related activities enable me to engage in both education and research while supporting students on their nursing career and education pathway, which is a privilege to be part of.
Hello my name is Claire Richards and I’m the Lead Nurse for the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Strategic Network. This covers nursing leadership but also Neonatal transport. I also have a clinical honorary contract in one Health Board.
Hello, my name is Kim Edwards, and I am a Neonatal Nurse. I am currently the Lead Nurse and Workforce, Education Lead for the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
Hello, my name is Jean and I am a registered children’s nurse with 27 years experience. I qualified with a DipHE after struggling academically due to dyslexia. Over my career I have worked mainly in PICU, NICU and children’s cardiac critical care. I am dual qualified in speciality (QIS) for both Neonatal and Paediatrics. The QIS program is a post graduate modular course completed at level 6/7. To be considered QIS you must successfully complete 4 separate modules, each have an academic and practical component. Only on completion of the QIS course can you apply for a band 6 role. In addition to the above qualifications it is expected you would have several years proven experience in speciality at Band 6 and 7 prior to applying for a Matron’s role.