Part 2, Changing times: Following the initiative for early transfer of babies for continuing surgical care, in a hospital nearer their home

There are increasing numbers of very preterm infants now surviving with advancing technologies and expertise [Piele, E., 2004. How can experts and novices learn together? British Medical Journal 329, 902] but some of these infants go on to develop complications which require surgical intervention. For these and many others, hospital stay may be lengthy in a tertiary centre which has implications for other infants who also need access to specialist care. In today's current climate it is important to ensure effective use of finite NHS resources by safe early transfer to the local hospital for continuing care.