To offer greater support to staff and families, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has received funding to provide a part-time Neonatal Health and Wellbeing Support Counsellor post for 12 months.

Sue Aucutt, who has years of counselling qualifications and previously worked as Neonatal Unit Ward Manager, has taken on the role.

Being the parent of, or caring for, premature and sick babies can provide unimaginable stress and anxiety.

But Sue will now be available to provide a confidential listening ear to all family members, either face to face or virtually.

She can also offer practical advice, signpost to other help groups or refer people to specialist mental health support.

“I have always had an interest in mental health and supporting people,” said Sue, who also provides relationship counselling as a volunteer for Relate.

“The response so far has been very positive and only re-affirmed how much this service was needed. I listen and encourage people to understand themselves better and find ways to cope with and resolve problems.

“A lot of reports, including Ockenden, talk about listening to women and having psychological support. It is a key feature as we work towards the Bliss Baby Charter and improving our Bronze rating to Silver.”

The service covers University Hospital in Coventry, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, and Warwick Hospital.

Neonatal Unit Modern Matron Andrea Davies added: “I am so proud that we are one of the first units in the country to be able to support this.

“We are hopeful that the benefits of this post will soon be evident and that it can become permanent.”

Family members who use the service will be sent a survey afterwards to provide feedback on how it can be developed.

To offer greater support to staff and families, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has received funding to provide a part-time Neonatal Health and Wellbeing Support Counsellor post for 12 months.

Sue Aucutt, who has years of counselling qualifications and previously worked as Neonatal Unit Ward Manager, has taken on the role.

Being the parent of, or caring for, premature and sick babies can provide unimaginable stress and anxiety.

But Sue will now be available to provide a confidential listening ear to all family members, either face to face or virtually.

She can also offer practical advice, signpost to other help groups or refer people to specialist mental health support.

“I have always had an interest in mental health and supporting people,” said Sue, who also provides relationship counselling as a volunteer for Relate.

“The response so far has been very positive and only re-affirmed how much this service was needed. I listen and encourage people to understand themselves better and find ways to cope with and resolve problems.

“A lot of reports, including Ockenden, talk about listening to women and having psychological support. It is a key feature as we work towards the Bliss Baby Charter and improving our Bronze rating to Silver.”

The service covers University Hospital in Coventry, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, and Warwick Hospital.

Neonatal Unit Modern Matron Andrea Davies added: “I am so proud that we are one of the first units in the country to be able to support this.

“We are hopeful that the benefits of this post will soon be evident and that it can become permanent.”

Family members who use the service will be sent a survey afterwards to provide feedback on how it can be developed.