Newborn care goes next level at Auburn

Newborns are getting the very best care at Auburn Hospital thanks to a collaborative learning approach embraced by Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

Nurse educator Audrey Wright and clinical nurse consultant James Marceau from the Westmead Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) visited Auburn Hospital on Tuesday to provide hands-on training to 11 midwives and student midwives.

The newborn care skills station workshop included lessons on how to insert a nasogastric tube, stabilise an artificial airway and prepare for an umbilical vein catheter, all of which can be vital in the immediate care of a newborn baby after an unexpected complication.

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Auburn Hospital clinical midwifery educator Jo Masri organised the education session and said she hoped it would be the first of many.

“It was a great opportunity for staff to develop skills and knowledge that they may not need often with the type of patients we usually see at Auburn, but are vital when called upon,” Jo said.

“It was really interactive and hands-on, and the feedback from all the participants was they really enjoyed it and got a lot from it. It’s fantastic to see this sharing of research, expertise and best practice across the health district.”