Development of a care pathway for babies being discharged from a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit to a community setting for end-of-life care

The development of a care pathway for babies being discharged from a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to a community setting for end-of-life care is discussed. The development of the care pathway was a collaborative project between a level 3 NICU, the local children's hospice and the local primary care trust. The development of the care pathway enables parents to decide where they want their babies to be cared for: NICU, hospice or home care. It enables staff to rapidly refer babies and their families to hospice or community care and provides staff with the support they also need during this difficult time.