The National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP) has published its Summary report on 2022 data. See below for the NNA response to the report’s findings.
The purpose of the NNA is to support neonatal nurses to deliver optimal care to babies and families. We acknowledge the increasing number of NNU shifts not staffed to recommended levels according to the service specification, the Neonatal Critical Care Review and BAPM, as highlighted in consecutive NNAP reports.
The NNA are working hard with stakeholders in neonatal care to highlight gaps in neonatal nursing and to call for the commissioning of appropriate nursing teams including the quality roles, such as Nurse Consultant, as outlined originally in the 2009 Department of Health publication ‘Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal Services’, as well as more recently in the Neonatal GIRFT report 2022. In conjunction with the NNA, the GIRFT report set out a clear career structure for neonatal nurses from qualification and we are committed to raising awareness of this on a national level to support the development of the neonatal workforce.
Neonatal nurse recruitment initiatives are particularly high on our agenda, and we have been working with the National Neonatal Network Lead Nurse group to raise awareness of the profession and boost retention within units across the country. Additionally, we have supported undergraduate nurses with an offer of free membership to raise awareness and support recruitment to neonatal units.
The NNA also supports Bliss in their campaigns to improve hospital resources including neonatal nurse staffing to optimise the family journey through the neonatal service. We are committed to supporting neonatal nurses to provide safe, consistent and equitable access to expert neonatal care for all babies and families.

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.