Why Neonatology? - British Association of Perinatal Medicine

F1
&
F2
Options of paediatric / neonatal
attachment to gain exposure
to specialty. Some foundation
programmes offer ‘taster
attachments’ of a few weeks
• 6 months
neonatal
experience
ST 4-5
• One year
experience in
allied subspecialty
Why Neonatology?
• 6-12 months
neonatal
experience
ST 1-3
A varied specialty
• 6 months
neonatal
experience
ST 4-5 (core)
ST6-8
• Eligible to
work in
tertiary
centre
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Neonatology covers all aspects of newborn
medical care from antenatal counselling of
families with problematic pregnancies (in
conjunction with obstetricians), to the care of
very sick and dependent babies, to screening
for abnormality in well babies and health
education for families.
Babies with problems are followed up as
outpatients to monitor their health and
development.
• General
paediatrics
plus further
training in
a tertiary
centre to
consolidate
skills
A practical specialty
There are opportunities to carry out
many practical procedures, use high-tech
equipment, and interact closely with families.
CCT
• CCT
Paediatrics
(Neonatal
Medicine)
The trainee can become involved in research
projects and develop their own interests.
ST
Grid Training
• Two years
of neonatal
training in
two tertiary
centres
Neonatology is a general speciality with
the option to subspecialise e.g. neonatal
cardiology or neurodevelopmental follow up.
High fidelity simulation of acute care
scenarios is commonly used to assist training.
ST
•6-12 months
neonatal
experience
ST 1-3
Trainee perspective
F1
&
F2
CCT
• CCT
Paediatrics
• May be
neonatal lead
in a local
neonatal unit
Less than full time training is supported.
Consultant
working patterns
As a neonatologist, it is possible to achieve a
good work-life balance. There are two main
working patterns:
Non Resident
This is currently the most common, but
may not be sustainable in the future. The
consultant is available out of hours to advise
and attend as needed.
Resident
This pattern results in a number of week days
off work.
Team work
The job is often busy, generating a strong
culture of team working.
Great potential for research
As a relatively young specialty, there is
great potential for research which improves
outcomes.
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Useful Contacts
The Royal College of Paediatrics and
Child Health (RCPCH), the professional
body for paediatrics, which provides
information about careers in the specialty:
A Career in
Neonatology
www.rcpch.ac.uk
The British Association of Perinatal
Medicine (BAPM), specialist organisation
for professionals involved in the the care of
pregnant women, newly delivered mothers
and newborn babies:
www.bapm.org
Neonatal Units
Bliss, the leading special care baby charity
which works with parents and health
professionals to drive forward the quality
of care:
There are three types of Neonatal unit.
NICU
A unit which specialises in neonatal intensive
care, and is usually in a tertiary centre,
providing the whole range of neonatal care,
and run by consultant neonatologists on a
separate neonatal rota.
LNU
A Local Neonatal Unit, usually within a large
DGH, providing short term intensive care,
and high dependency and special care.
It is run by paediatricians with an interest
in neonatology or neonatologists, and the
consultant rota may be joint with general
paediatrics.
SCBU
A Special Care Baby Unit is in a DGH and
does not provide intensive care. It is run by
paediatricians, some with a specific interest in
neonatology on the general paediatric rota.
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How to Proceed
If you are interested in neonatology,
speak to the local consultants early in
your training. It is helpful if a neonatologist
is your educational supervisor.
After completing your MRCPCH you can apply
from ST5 onwards for the National Grid. This
ensures training suitable for neonatal CCT.
Evidence of seeing through audit projects,
guidelines, service developments and
research projects give credit in an application.
www.bliss.org.uk
Local contacts
Your local Deanery, Head of School, or
Regional Advisor.
About BAPM
Who are we?
Established in 1976, the
British Association of Perinatal
Medicine exists to promote
excellence in British perinatal
care. We produce standards
and frameworks for practice
and advise on training and education to help recruit
and train high calibre graduates in neonatal care and
associated areas.
Guide for
Trainees
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