World Patient Safety Day 2025
World Patient Safety Day (Wednesday 17 September) is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the care we provide and to take steps to make healthcare as safe as possible from the very beginning of life. This year's focus, "Safe care for every newborn and every child", highlights the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The Perinatal Mental Health Team plays a vital role in supporting parents and babies during the crucial early stages of life. Our nursery nurses provide specialist input to help strengthen parent-infant relationships, support healthy child development, and offer practical advice on caring for newborns.
Sam Carswell, Lead Perinatal Community Nursery Nurse, describes the role: The nursery nurse within the Specialist Community Perinatal Service is rewarding and a great privilege. We aim to support mothers and infants with their bond, interaction, communication and developing relationship. We strive to encourage, empower and enable mothers to feel confident whilst caring for their infant. By supporting mothers to recognise her infant's cues and baby states, using the newborn behaviour observation tool and deliver baby massage groups in community settings across the whole service. We strive to positively promote the infant's mental health through expert interventions creating a fun and playful relationship between them both.
This work is a key part of ensuring that babies have the safest and healthiest start possible.
One important aspect of newborn safety is safe sleep. Sadly, unsafe sleeping arrangements can increase the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS). By following some simple guidance, families can reduce risks and keep their babies safe.
Key safe sleep advice includes:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in their own cot or Moses basket.
- Keep the sleeping space clear - no pillows, duvets or soft toys.
- Use a firm, flat mattress in good condition.
- Keep your baby smoke-free during pregnancy and after birth.
- Share a room with your baby for the first six months, but not the same bed.
- Avoid your baby overheating - a comfortable room temperature (16-20°C) is ideal.
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