Consent
The term 'consent' means agreement. Unless it is an emergency,
staff cannot treat a baby without parental agreement. On the neonatal unit a
large number of decisions are made every day about all of the babies and it
would not be possible to get parental agreement for everything that happens to
their baby. Staff need parents to allow them to do things like blood and
infection tests, x-rays, changes to feeding schedules and other more minor
treatments and will update parents when they visit. It is assumed by the fact
that a baby is in the unit that parents are comfortable with this or staff
would not be able to look after a baby properly.
For certain procedures, such as surgery staff will ask parents for written consent.
The NNU policy on communication with parents is based on honesty and trust.
Staff will keep parents updated on all developments and encourage them to ask
questions. If parents disagree with any of the treatment or care their baby
receives, then they need to let staff know.
It is the duty of all doctors, nurses and midwives involved in looking after
a baby to safeguard his best interests.
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