A new Green Room has been created in the Neonatal Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to provide a calming space for parents and staff to reflect and relax. It also provides a private, non-clinical area for parents to meet with healthcare staff from the Unit to get an update on their baby’s progress, catch up with their local midwifery or health visiting teams or have a session with one of the psychology team.

The comfortable room is stocked with snacks and drinks as well as books and craft materials to help entertain and keep older children occupied. It will also be used to host number of wellbeing sessions and parent craft sessions throughout the year.

Pamela Connolly, Manager of the Neonatal Ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said the room was an important and valuable addition to the Unit and the feedback from some of the first parents to use it had been very positive. She explained: “One mum mentioned that when she was in the Neonatal unit with her pervious child she often felt she had nowhere to decompress and compose herself. It also provides somewhere more private for parents to speak to staff away from the Neonatal Unit which can often be very busy.

“Many parents may spend large periods of time in the Unit so having somewhere comfortable to go to at the end of a long day where they can relax on their own or with other parents makes a huge difference.

Alongside the introduction of new Green Room, a series of weekly drop-in support groups for parents have also been arranged. These are open to the parents of babies currently being cared for in the Unit as well as parents whose babies were admitted to the Neonatal Unit in the past.

The drop-in sessions take place every Thursday from 10.30am – 12.30pm in the parent craft room on the ground floor of the Women and Children’s Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital (across from the reception desk). The free sessions cover a variety of topics such as feeding, wellbeing and general support and provide an opportunity for current and former parents to share experiences, ask questions and get support. Refreshments are provided and parents can attend on their own or bring their baby.

Pamela Connolly, Manager of the Neonatal Ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said: “We know parents receive a lot of information when their baby is in the Neonatal Unit which can be a lot to take in at the time. Parents can also often feel anxious or isolated after they have brought their baby home.

“We therefore hope these new drop-in sessions will give local parents the chance to access advice and support in a comfortable and informal setting as well as provide an opportunity to meet up with other parents who facing similar challenges and experiences.”

All drop-in support group sessions take place between in the parent craft room on the ground floor of the Women and Children’s Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital on a Thursday between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

Baby Friendly Support Group – infant feeding and general support

• Thurs 6th June
• Thurs 20th June
• Thurs 11th July
• Thurs 15th Aug

PENguin (Parental Experience Neonatal Group) – wellbeing support

• Thurs 13th June
• Thurs 4th July
• Thurs 8th Aug

Neonatal Unit Support Group – general support and advice

• Thurs 27th June
• Thurs 18th July