At Musgrove Park Hospital in Somerset, a groundbreaking neonatal project is helping infants return home much sooner than before, earning the team national acclaim.
The hospital’s neonatal clinicians were named runners-up for the Neonatal Team of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Neonatal Nurses Association Awards. Their pioneering approach revolutionizes treatment for newborns at risk of infection.
Traditionally, babies receive up to seven days of intravenous (IV) antibiotics in the hospital. Thanks to this project, eligible infants now complete their antibiotic course at home after just 48 hours of IV treatment, switching to oral medication.
READ MORE: Lockdown-born Bath business named one of UK’s most inspiring firms
READ MORE: Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed at Somerset Poultry Farm
Ana Barbosa, an advanced neonatal nurse practitioner with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, shared: “Since starting in February, we identified 19 babies suitable for oral antibiotics at home within the first six months. That has saved 86 bed days — roughly one neonatal bed freed every two days.”
The team’s protocol is based on international studies demonstrating oral antibiotics’ effectiveness as an alternative to IV therapy. Over five months, they conducted 76 virtual consultations with no readmissions to emergency or pediatric services, a clear sign of success and reassurance for families.
Babies undergo careful assessment using the ‘Kaiser’ infection risk calculator, alongside blood tests measuring inflammation markers called C-reactive proteins (CRP).
Ana explains: “If CRP is elevated but the baby remains clinically well and blood cultures are negative, they can finish antibiotics at home. The initial 36 to 48 hours involve IV treatment in hospital, followed by five days of oral antibiotics at home.”
Post-discharge, families receive daily video consultations with consultants and thermometers to monitor temperatures. The treatment concludes with a final clinical review.
“To take a baby home for the first time is an incredibly precious moment. Being able to do this sooner means so much to families,” Ana said.
The project was initially showcased as a poster at the Neonatal Nurses Association annual conference, leading to an invitation to speak and eventually the awards nomination.
Ana reflected, “Being shortlisted highlights our team’s dedication to enhancing care for babies, families, and staff. It was truly an honor to present our work on a national platform.”