Available on the Learning Hub
This programme has moved to the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/AHPneonatalcareintro).
More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.
About the programme
Roles for AHPs within the neonatal specialty are rapidly evolving. A standard approach to education is important to ensure a confident and competent workforce. These foundation level modules have been written to support foundation level training and ensure a consistent knowledge base across all AHPs. This will help gain an understanding of the role of the neonatal AHP and support the application of theory into practice.
This programme includes 9 modules, 1 introductory session plus foundation sessions aimed at health and care professionals in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics and physiotherapy as detailed below:
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Introductory module, suitable for all neonatal AHPs
Introductory module, suitable for all neonatal AHPs
- Who needs neonatal care?
- Common complications of prematurity
- How neonatal care is organised and the neonatal care team
- Models of neonatal care
- Overview of neurodevelopmental follow up and outcomes
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Occupational therapy in neonatal services
Occupational therapy in neonatal services
- Applying the person-environment-occupational model of practice in neonatal care
- Understanding infant/parent occupations
- Indicators for referral to occupational therapy
- Occupational therapy assessment and care-planning
- Occupation-focused interventions
- Preparing for discharge and measuring outcomes
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Introduction to the role of the neonatal physiotherapist
Introduction to the role of the neonatal physiotherapist
- Basic development of the nervous and sensory systems
- Development of tone and movements
- Common complications seen on a neonatal unit
- Basic respiratory anatomy and physiology and optimising respiratory function
- Neonatal brain injury
- Neurodevelopment assessment on the unit and in unit follow up
- Common issues seen in the first few months of life
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The role of a speech and language therapist in neonatal care
The role of a speech and language therapist in neonatal care
- Development of communication and feeding in foetal life
- Anatomy and physiology of feeding
- Impact of the neonatal unit for communication and feeding development
- The effects of prematurity and associated conditions on communication and feeding outcomes
- Key principles for SLTs in the models and standards of neonatal care
- Overview of SLT roles and practices
- Identifying infants and families who will benefit from SLT input
- SLT assessment in neonatal care
- SLT management in neonatal care
- Principles and best practice for responsive suck feeding
- Clinical management and interventions for infants with persistent feeding difficulties
- SLT role in discharge and neuro-developmental follow-up over the first 2 years of life
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Introduction to the role of the neonatal dietitian:
Introduction to the role of the neonatal dietitian:
- Gain an understanding of the impact of preterm birth on nutrition, growth and outcomes
- Grasp key principles of dietetic assessment in neonatal care
- Knowledge of nutritional requirements of preterm infants and how to meet these in the neonatal unit
- Understand the rationale of common nutritional interventions across universal and targeted areas of neonatal care including the use of; breast milk; breast milk fortifiers; vitamin and mineral supplements; preterm and specialised formula milks
- Develop awareness of targeted post discharge nutritional interventions
- Describe oral feeding development including the role of the dietitian in supporting babies to transition from tube to oral feeding
- Weaning in preterm infants
- Importance of multi-professional working in the acute and community setting to achieve improved outcomes for preterm infants
As you complete each module there will be frequent knowledge checks with a final quiz on completion of the module. You need to score 80% on the final quiz, you have 3 opportunities to complete this.
Once all modules and the quiz have been successfully completed you will be provided with a certificate of attendance.
In addition to the modules there is a workbook to be completed. The workbook includes further activities to support and promote your learning from the modules.
Primary and secondary audiences
Primary audience: AHPs new to neonatal care, or currently rotating through the specialty.
Secondary audience: Paediatric AHPs with an interest in neonatal care, community paediatric physiotherapists involved in early intervention, health care professionals working in neonatal care interested in understanding the role of AHPs on the neonatal unit.
With thanks to
- The Neonatal Committee of the APCP for supporting the development of the programme
- The Educational subcommittee of the BDA Neonatal Dietitian’s group for their support in the development of this programme
- The Neonatal Clinical Forum, part of the RCOT Specialist Section – Children, Young People and Families who provided content for the programme
- The RCSLT Neonatal Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) for supporting the development of the programme
Meet the team – Physiotherapy
Anna Lukens
Clinical Lead Neonatal Physiotherapist, London Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
Emma Foulerton
West Midlands Neonatal Network Lead Physiotherapist, West Midlands Neonatal Network
Charlotte Xanthidis
Lead Neonatal Physiotherapist, West Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
Helen Robinson
Lead Physiotherapist, South West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
Meet the team – Dietetics
- Sara Clarke, Lead Neonatal Network Dietitian, West Midlands Neonatal Network
- Lorraine Cairns, Neonatal Dietitian, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow
- Stephanie Tagani, Clinical Lead Dietitian: Neonates, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London
- Karen King, Advanced Neonatal Dietitian, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Caroline King, Clinical Lead Dietitian (retired): Neonates, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London
Meet the team – Occupational Therapy
Deanna Gibbs
Director of Clinical Research for Neonates and Children (Nursing and AHP), Barts Health NHS Trust
Amanda Clifford
Clinical Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sally Payne
Professional Advisor for children, young people and families, Royal College of Occupational Therapists
Emily Hills
Clinical Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Amanda Lawes
Clinical Lead Neonatal Occupational Therapy, Swansea Bay Health-board
Alice Gair
Specialist Paediatric and Neonatal Occupational Therapist
Meet the team – Speech and Language Therapy
Katy Parnell
Lead Speech and Language Therapist for the West Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
Annie Aloysius
Speech and Language Therapist and Lactation Consultant
Jo Marks
Lead Speech & Language Therapist, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Celia Harding
Emerita Professor at City, University of London
Meet the team – elfh team
Rob Taylor
Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Victoria Ward
Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
Catherine Moran
Graphic Designer, HEE elearning for Healthcare
Louise Garrahan
Stakeholder Officer, HEE elearning for healthcare
Karole Smith
Programme Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
How to access
In order to access the Introduction to Allied Health Professionals in Neonatal Care programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Introduction to Allied Health Professionals in Neonatal Care programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
NHS healthcare staff in England
The Introduction to Allied Health Professionals in Neonatal Care programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this elearning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.