The Network was set up in 2004 by the West Midlands Specialist Services Agency.
The Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country Newborn Network spans two strategic health authorities and consists of six neonatal units within the following acute hospital NHS trusts:
• University Hospital of North Staffordshire
• Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals
• Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals
• Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals
• Walsall Hospitals
• Dudley Group of Hospitals
The Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country (SSBC) Newborn Network has a number of key objectives that are all aimed at developing a sustainable service to ensure that mothers and babies are treated in the right place, at the right time and by appropriately skilled staff, through implementing the recommendations of the DOH "Report of the Neonatal Intensive Care Review Group".
Working together as a network enables the concentration of skills and expertise where they are required in the network, offering families access to appropriate care as close to home as possible whilst minimising transfers for intensive care to those which are really necessary.
Working towards a common goal in the network will provide opportunities to learn from and with each other, sharing ideas and practices that will lead to improved outcomes for our patients.
These aims will be achieved through a variety of network activities including resource and capacity planning, the production and implementation of standardised clinical guidelines and patient information, in addition to shared education events and programmes.
Work has already started in some of the network activities, further details can be found on the relevant pages of this website.
As the network continues to develop we hope that this website will prove to be a valuable resource. We would welcome your feedback.
Click here for the Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country Newborn Network Business Plan