Improving the experience of families with babies in neonatal units across Yorkshire
Supporters of Families and Babies (SOFAB) was formed in 2012 by a group of neonatal nurses who identified a need to improve the experience of parents whose babies are admitted to neonatal/special care baby units because of prematurity or sickness. We could see where facilities for families could be upgraded to help them adapt to what can be a difficult and stressful situation. Having a pleasant, private and comfortable place to stay was our starting point and our first project was to re-vamp the parent flats on the neonatal unit at Pinderfields hospital.
Since then we have been joined by a mum who’s son was born prematurely and a consultant from one of our local units. We became a registered charity in 2014.
Our aim is to provide the things that the NHS can’t and so improve the experience of the whole family. Things we have provided funds for include refurbishing family rooms in several units, the equipment required to make baby diaries, toys and games for siblings and study days for neonatal staff.
We cover neonatal units in the following hospitals: Leeds General Infirmary, St James Hospital, Pinderfields General Hospital, Calderdale Royal Hospital, Harrogate Hospital, Scarborough Hospital, Airedale General Hospital, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Hull Royal Infirmary, York Hospital, Rotherham Hospital, Barnsley Hospital, Bassetlaw Hospital, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital Grimsby, Jessop Wing Sheffield, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
