Publish date: 9 July 2026
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital neonatal unit achieves Gold Bliss Baby Charter
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Hospital neonatal unit has successfully completed its Gold Baby Charter accreditation – the first in the North East to do so.
The independent accreditation demonstrates that Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care neonatal unit has high standard procedures, practices, and facilities in place to empower parents and carers to be partners in care through joint decision-making and hands-on care. This facilitates a solid foundation for family integrated care.
The accreditation was awarded in a presentation on 6 July 2026 – following an assessment which took place in April – attended by unit staff and Bliss Chief Executive Caroline Lee-Davey.
The Bliss Baby Charter is a practical framework that neonatal units can use to assess how well they are placing families at the centres of their baby’s care.
Highlights from the assessment of Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital neonatal unit included excellent family access to a psychologist; free food vouchers for families, including for siblings during hospital stays; wellbeing areas for staff and parents and the encouragement of siblings and extended family and friends to be cot-side – including siblings being encouraged to carry out baby ‘care’ on dolls.
Access to digital support and patient information is aided through the provision of donated mobile phones to parents who don’t have phones and developmental care packs are provided on discharge, including activities and a blanket.
Jane Stirton, advanced neonatal clinical practitioner and Bliss project lead at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said “We are incredibly proud to receive this Gold Bliss Baby Charter accreditation, which reflects the dedication of our team to embedding family-centred care in everything we do.
“With support from Bliss and our trust Bright charity, we have created a welcoming environment where parents are at the heart of their baby’s care, with improved family spaces, privacy screens and tablets to help families stay connected. For example video messaging, if they are separated whilst mum receives treatment.
“We encourage parents to be active partners in babies care, building confidence through practical support such as feeding and temperature checks. It helps them feel better prepared for going home. This award recognises our ongoing commitment to supporting families during what can be a very challenging time.”
Dr Sangeeta Tiwary, child health consultant at Northumbria Healthcare added:
“Achieving Gold – the first in the North East – is a significant milestone for our neonatal team, reflecting their dedication and expertise. The team includes neonatal nurses and consultants, physiotherapists, psychologists, breastfeeding coordinators and more.
“The assessors recognised not only the exceptional high standards of clinical care, compassion and kindness, as well as our partnership approach with parents and carers..
“We know this can be an overwhelming time for families, so our focus is always on listening, learning and adapting our service to create the most supportive and positive experience possible for every family.”
Lorna Telford’s baby, Khodi, whose baby weighed 3.5kg after being born at 36 weeks was treated on the unit at Northumbria Hospital. She said she was grateful for the incredible care she has received adding:
“Although coming to special care can be very scary, I got made to feel so at ease, the team don’t just look after your baby, but also make sure the parents are supported too.
“I will forever be grateful for my time on the ward and the care we received.”
About Bliss Bliss is the leading UK charity dedicated to supporting the 90,000 babies born premature or sick each year. Bliss champions the right of every baby born premature or sick to excellent neonatal care, experience and outcomes. We achieve this by improving care, giving voice to babies, and supporting parents to be partners in care
For more information visit bliss.org.uk.