Placing parents at the heart of care
We understand that having a child in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) can be an extremely challenging time for parents.
A recent study identified that some of the highest causes of parental stress was due to the ”parental role alteration” that may come from being unable to comfort or care for their child whilst they are in hospital.
Our PCCU team recently began an improvement project focused on strengthening the quality of parent feedback and deepening the relationship between families and staff.
After listening carefully to what parents told us, the team introduced three changes to address the most common themes raised:
- Inviting parents to join afternoon ward rounds
- Chaplaincy walk‑arounds to offer emotional and spiritual support
- Providing a mobile phone charging unit for families on the unit
Having parents present during afternoon ward rounds has already made a meaningful difference. Families told us they felt more informed, more involved in decisions about their child’s care, and less anxious during what can be an incredibly stressful time. Staff also noticed smoother coordination and clearer communication.
These small but thoughtful changes have helped parents feel more supported, more included and more confident in the care their child is receiving.
At Barts Health, we are committed to continually learning and improving so that every family has the best possible experience. One of the key lessons from this project is the value of involving parents more closely in their child’s care.
Building on this, other paediatric wards are now planning parent coffee mornings to encourage open conversations, strengthen relationships and spark new ideas for positive change.