Neonatology Interview Questions & Answers

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About this NHS interview question bank

To prepare for a neonatology NHS interview, expect questions on newborn resuscitation and attending deliveries, stabilising preterm babies, early-onset sepsis, jaundice and hypoglycaemia, how neonatal networks and levels of care work, and how you talk with frightened parents, including when care is redirected. Build short spoken answers around real babies and families you have looked after, and know the Resuscitation Council UK newborn life support algorithm, the relevant NICE and BAPM guidance, GMC Good Medical Practice and the NHS values before you walk in.

This bank contains 40 original practice questions with first-person model answers written for doctors applying for neonatal Clinical Fellow and Specialty Doctor posts, including international medical graduates new to UK neonatal practice, with a selection pitched at senior registrar and Consultant level. It covers labour ward, postnatal and transitional care, special care, local neonatal units and NICUs, and each answer is built around a realistic, non-identifying scenario. Every question explains what the panel is really assessing, the points you must hit, the mistakes to avoid and the guidance worth reading, so you can practise answers that sound like you rather than a textbook.

 

What this question bank covers

• Motivation for neonatology
• NHS values and family integrated care
• Newborn life support and attending deliveries
• Working with obstetrics and midwifery
• Neonatal networks, levels of care and transfers
• Preterm stabilisation
• Early-onset sepsis
• Hypoglycaemia and jaundice
• Ventilation and surfactant principles
• Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and therapeutic hypothermia
• Newborn and infant physical examination
• Antenatal counselling at the limits of viability
• Breaking bad news, redirection of care and bereavement
• Safeguarding newborns
• Confidentiality and parental responsibility
• Medication safety, incidents, PSIRF and PMRT
• Leadership, QI and teaching
• IMG transition to UK neonatal practice
• Resilience and wellbeing

 

40 NHS interview questions with full model answers. The first 8 are free to read below. Unlock the remaining 32 for £2.99 (12 months' access).

These are original practice questions written to reflect how NHS interviews are run. They are not leaked or official questions, and Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS.

 

 

Free NHS interview questions and model answers

 

 

Question 1: Why do you want to work in neonatology?

Motivation question  ·  Motivation

 

What the interview panel is assessing

The panel wants a genuine, personal reason that goes beyond liking babies. They are listening for a realistic picture of the work, including long nights on labour ward, very unwell preterm babies and conversations with parents on the worst day of their lives, and for a sense that you have chosen it with your eyes open.

 

Model answer

I can actually point to the shift where I decided. I was a junior doctor covering a busy unit overnight and I was called to an emergency caesarean for a baby with a very slow heart rate. The baby came out floppy and blue, and I remember my own heart thumping. I dried her, kept her warm, gave inflation breaths with the midwife beside me, and within about a minute her heart rate came up and she started to cry. By the morning ward round she was in her mum's arms on the postnatal ward. Very few areas of medicine let you see a physiology lesson turn into a family's happy ending so quickly.

That was the spark, but it isn't why I've stayed interested. What I love about neonatology is the range. In one shift you can go from a slightly sleepy term baby with a low sugar on the postnatal ward, to a 26-week baby needing surfactant, to sitting down with parents to explain why their son needs to go to the regional surgical centre. The medicine is precise, because the margins are small and every drug is weight-based, but the job is just as much about families.

I'm also realistic about the hard parts. I've been part of conversations where we moved from intensive care to comfort care, and I've seen how heavy that is for parents and for the team. It hasn't put me off. If anything, it showed me how much good, honest communication matters, and how much the nursing team carries.

At this stage I want structured neonatal experience with proper supervision, regular deliveries and time on the intensive care side, so I can become a safe and dependable doctor on the rota and build towards more senior responsibility.

 

Why this answer works

It opens with a specific, believable memory rather than a cliche, then widens out to the breadth of the specialty. It shows awareness of the emotional reality of the work and finishes with a realistic link to the post being applied for.

 

Key points to include

• A specific moment or baby that drew you to neonatology
• The breadth of the work, from labour ward to intensive care to postnatal wards
• The family as part of the care
• Realism about deaths, redirection of care and night work
• How this post fits your next step

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Saying you simply love babies
• Talking only about high-tech intensive care and ignoring routine work
• Giving a long CV recital rather than a reason
• Sounding unprepared for the emotional side

 

NHS values and standards

Compassion; Improving lives; Commitment to quality of care; GMC Good Medical Practice: knowledge, skills and development

 

Further reading

• GMC Good Medical Practice
• NHS Constitution for England
• BAPM Service and Quality Standards for Provision of Neonatal Care in the UK
• RCPCH Progress+ curriculum (neonatal medicine)

 

 

Question 2: Which NHS value matters most to you on a neonatal unit, and how have you shown it?

NHS Values question  ·  NHS Values

 

What the interview panel is assessing

The panel is checking that you know the NHS values and can link one to real behaviour with babies and parents. They want an example rather than a definition, and some sense of why that value takes a particular shape when your patient cannot speak.

 

Model answer

The NHS values are working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives, and everyone counts. On a neonatal unit the one I come back to most is respect and dignity, because a baby can't object to how they're treated, so the team has to hold that standard for them, and for their parents.

A small example stays with me. We had a baby of around 28 weeks in intensive care, a few days old, and the morning ward round arrived at the incubator while mum was sitting expressing behind a screen. The instinct of a busy round is to carry on and talk over her. I asked the team to give her a minute, then asked whether she wanted to join us or have us come back. She chose to join, and we spoke to her rather than about her baby, using his name and explaining the plan in plain words.

Respect also shows in how we handle the baby. I try to cluster my examinations with the nurse's cares rather than waking a preterm baby repeatedly, I keep the incubator covered when I can, and I explain to parents before I do anything uncomfortable, like a blood test, so they can choose whether to comfort their baby or step out. Those things are small, but they protect sleep, development and the parents' sense that this is still their child.

Dignity matters at the end of life too. When I've been involved in comfort care, I've made sure the family had privacy, time and the chance to hold and bathe their baby if they wished, with the nurses and bereavement team guiding us. What I've learned is that respect is mostly in the details, and parents remember those details for years.

 

Why this answer works

The candidate names the values correctly, picks one and grounds it in concrete neonatal behaviour: involving parents on the ward round, developmental care and dignity at the end of life. It shows understanding that respect for a baby is expressed through the team's actions and the way parents are treated.

 

Key points to include

• Name the NHS values accurately
• Choose one and explain why it matters with babies
• A specific example from a neonatal or labour ward setting
• Developmental care and minimal handling as respect in practice
• Parents treated as partners, not visitors

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Listing all six values without an example
• Choosing a value and not explaining what it looks like with babies
• Forgetting parents completely
• Making the example about yourself rather than the family

 

NHS values and standards

Respect and dignity; Compassion; Working together for patients; GMC Good Medical Practice: treat patients and those close to them with dignity

 

Further reading

• NHS Constitution for England
• GMC Good Medical Practice
• Bliss Baby Charter
• UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative neonatal standards

 

 

Question 3: A baby on the unit deteriorated overnight. How would you update the parents when they arrive in the morning?

Communication question  ·  Communication

 

What the interview panel is assessing

The panel wants to see that you can give unwelcome news clearly, honestly and kindly, without jargon or false reassurance. They are also looking for preparation, involving the nurse, checking understanding and knowing when a consultant should lead or join the conversation.

 

Model answer

Let's say it's a 27-week baby, about a week old, who became unstable overnight. We suspected late-onset sepsis, started antibiotics after cultures, and he needed more breathing support. The parents had gone home to sleep for a few hours and they're walking in at eight. I'd want them to hear this from a doctor before they reach the incubator and see the changes themselves.

First I'd prepare. I'd make sure I knew the facts, the current plan and what the consultant thinks, and I'd check whether the parents had already been phoned in the night, because many units call parents when a baby deteriorates and I'd want to build on that conversation, not repeat it badly. I'd ask the baby's nurse to come with me, since the family usually knows her well and she'll be there after I've gone. I'd find a quiet room rather than talking at the cot-side in front of other families.

Then I'd keep it simple. I'd start by asking what they already know, then say something like, 'Overnight, Leo became more unwell. We think he may have an infection, so we've started antibiotics and he needed more help with his breathing.' I'd pause and let that land. Then I'd explain what we're doing, what we're watching for, and what the next day might look like. I'd be honest about uncertainty without being frightening, and I'd avoid saying 'he's fine' or giving numbers I can't stand behind.

I'd check understanding, invite questions, and offer to take them to the cot-side together. If things were very serious or the plan was changing significantly, I'd make sure the consultant joined or led the conversation. Afterwards I'd document what was said, who was there and the parents' questions, so the next person doesn't contradict it. And I'd tell them how they can reach us and when they'll next get an update, because uncertainty is what keeps parents awake.

 

Why this answer works

The answer shows preparation, teamwork with the bedside nurse, a private setting, plain language and honest handling of uncertainty. It also shows good judgement on escalation and the importance of consistent documentation across shifts.

 

Key points to include

• Prepare: know the facts, the plan and what was already said overnight
• Bring the baby's nurse and find a private space
• Ask what they know, then give the news in plain words with pauses
• Be honest about uncertainty and avoid false reassurance
• Involve the consultant when the news is serious or the plan changes
• Document the conversation and agree the next update

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Updating parents at the cot-side within earshot of other families
• Using jargon like 'escalated respiratory support' or 'raised inflammatory markers'
• Giving false reassurance or overly precise predictions
• Forgetting to record what was said

 

NHS values and standards

Compassion; Respect and dignity; Working together for patients; GMC Good Medical Practice: communicate effectively and share information

 

Further reading

• GMC Good Medical Practice
• GMC guidance: Decision making and consent
• Bliss Baby Charter
• BAPM Family Integrated Care framework

 

 

Question 4: You are called to a category 1 caesarean section for a suspected fetal compromise. How do you work with the obstetric and midwifery team?

Teamwork question  ·  Teamwork

 

What the interview panel is assessing

The panel wants evidence that you understand perinatal working: getting key information early, preparing equipment and people, and communicating calmly in a crowded theatre. They are also listening for respect for colleagues, clear roles and knowing when to call for help.

 

Model answer

The first thing I'd do is get information on the way. I'd ask the midwife or obstetric registrar for the gestation, the reason for the section, whether there's meconium, any infection risk factors, maternal medications such as opioids or magnesium, and whether it's a single baby. That tells me who I need and what to expect. If it's preterm, if there are concerns about a severely compromised baby, or if I'm not confident, I'd call my senior early rather than once the baby is out.

In theatre I'd introduce myself to the obstetric team, the anaesthetist and the midwife, and agree who is helping me at the resuscitaire. I'd check the resuscitaire properly: heater on, towels and hat ready, suction working, the right size face masks, gas supply, the pulse oximeter and a stethoscope. I'd also make sure I know where the airway and emergency equipment is in that particular theatre, because it varies.

I'd ask the obstetrician to let me know at the point of delivery, and whether they're planning deferred cord clamping, since even in a compromised baby there's sometimes a brief window and that's a decision we make together. When the baby comes to me, I follow the newborn life support algorithm, saying out loud what I'm finding so the room knows: 'Heart rate is slow, giving inflation breaths.' That keeps everyone informed without shouting.

I'd also remember mum and her partner. They can usually hear everything, so once it's safe I'd ask a midwife to tell them what's happening, or speak to them myself briefly. Afterwards I'd make sure cord gases are sent, document the times and interventions clearly, and give the obstetric team and the midwife a quick handover of how the baby is and where they're going. If it was a difficult resuscitation, a short team debrief helps everyone, and it's often where the best learning comes from.

 

Why this answer works

This answer shows clear information gathering, early escalation, equipment checks, shared decisions on cord clamping and calm closed-loop communication in theatre. It keeps the parents in mind and finishes with documentation, cord gases and a debrief, which is exactly how good perinatal teams work.

 

Key points to include

• Gather key information before arrival: gestation, risk factors, meconium, maternal drugs
• Escalate early when the baby is preterm or likely to be very unwell
• Check the resuscitaire and know the theatre
• Agree cord clamping plans with the obstetrician
• Narrate findings calmly using the NLS algorithm
• Remember the parents, document times, send cord gases and debrief

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Arriving without asking for any history
• Calling for senior help only after the baby is born and struggling
• Ignoring the parents in the room
• Treating obstetrics and midwifery as a separate team rather than partners

 

NHS values and standards

Working together for patients; Commitment to quality of care; Compassion; GMC Good Medical Practice: work collaboratively with colleagues

 

Further reading

• Resuscitation Council UK Newborn Life Support guidelines
• BAPM Perinatal Optimisation pathway
• NHS England Three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services
• GMC Good Medical Practice

 

 

Question 5: On the postnatal ward you notice a bruise on the cheek of a five-day-old baby being reviewed before discharge. What do you do?

Safeguarding question  ·  Safeguarding

 

What the interview panel is assessing

The panel wants to know that you take bruising in a non-mobile baby seriously, follow your trust's protocol and involve the safeguarding team rather than deciding alone. They are also checking that you stay calm and non-judgemental with the family while keeping the baby safe.

 

Model answer

The first thing in my mind is that babies who aren't mobile don't bruise easily, so any bruise in a non-mobile infant needs to be taken seriously and assessed under the trust's protocol, regardless of how plausible the explanation sounds. That isn't about assuming anyone has done anything wrong. It's about making sure we don't miss a baby who's at risk.

I'd start by looking at the baby properly and gently, fully undressed, with the parents present and with their agreement. I'd check the rest of the skin, the fontanelle, the mouth including the frenulum, and look for other marks. I'd check the notes, because the newborn examination and the delivery record may already describe a birth-related mark, a forceps or ventouse bruise, or a congenital skin mark such as a blue-grey area that was documented on day one. I'd also check that vitamin K had been given. I'd ask the parents an open question about whether they've noticed the mark and how they think it happened, and I'd write down what they say, in their words.

If it isn't clearly explained by a documented birth injury or skin mark, I'd follow the protocol for bruising in non-mobile infants. That usually means discussing with the paediatric consultant and the hospital safeguarding team, keeping the baby in hospital while assessment happens, and a referral to children's social care. The consultant would usually lead decisions about investigations, which commonly include blood tests for clotting and a skeletal survey and head imaging, depending on local guidance. I'd check whether the family is already known to services and speak to the midwife and health visitor.

With the parents, I'd be honest and calm. I'd explain that whenever we find a bruise on a young baby, the hospital has a standard process to look into it, to make sure nothing is missed, including medical causes. I wouldn't accuse, and I wouldn't promise outcomes. Then I'd document my findings carefully, with a body map and times, and make sure the discharge is stopped and everyone on the ward knows the plan.

 

Why this answer works

It shows clear knowledge that bruising in a non-mobile baby needs formal assessment, while also checking for documented birth marks and medical causes. It escalates to the right people, keeps the baby safe in hospital and handles the parents honestly without accusation.

 

Key points to include

• Bruising in a non-mobile baby always needs assessment under the trust protocol
• Full, gentle examination and review of birth records and newborn examination
• Open questions and documenting the explanation in the parents' words
• Escalate to the consultant and safeguarding team and refer to children's social care
• Stop discharge until the plan is agreed
• Be honest and non-judgemental with the family

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Accepting an explanation and discharging without discussion
• Confronting or accusing the parents
• Ordering investigations without senior and safeguarding input
• Poor or vague documentation without a body map

 

NHS values and standards

Everyone counts; Commitment to quality of care; Respect and dignity; GMC Good Medical Practice: protect children and young people

 

Further reading

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (current edition)
• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
• GMC guidance: Protecting children and young people
• RCPCH Child Protection Companion
• Local protocol for bruising in non-mobile infants

 

 

Question 6: Tell us how you would respond if you discovered a baby had been given ten times the prescribed dose of a drug.

Patient Safety question  ·  Patient Safety

 

What the interview panel is assessing

Neonatal prescribing is high risk, and tenfold errors are a recognised hazard. The panel wants to see that you put the baby first, escalate immediately, are open with the family under the duty of candour, and treat the event as a chance to learn about systems rather than to blame.

 

Model answer

Tenfold errors are one of the risks I think about most in neonatology, because doses are tiny, often in decimals, and a misplaced decimal point or the wrong concentration can change everything. So my first response would be about the baby, not the paperwork.

Say I'm told on a night shift that a 1.2 kilogram baby has had ten times the intended dose of an antibiotic. I'd go straight to the baby and assess them: airway, breathing, circulation, observations, and any signs specific to that drug. I'd stop any further doses, call the neonatal pharmacist or on-call pharmacy, check the toxicity profile and what monitoring or treatment is needed, such as drug levels, renal function or hearing follow-up. I'd tell my consultant straight away, even at three in the morning, because this is exactly what they need to know about.

Then I'd speak to the parents. Under the duty of candour, the family should be told promptly, honestly and with an apology, and the consultant would usually lead or join that conversation. I'd explain what happened, what we're doing to monitor and protect their baby, and that it will be investigated. I wouldn't speculate about whose fault it was.

I'd complete an incident report the same shift and document clearly in the notes what happened, what was given, the assessment and the plan. I'd also support the nurse involved, because these errors are rarely about one careless person. Usually it's a system issue, like a confusing concentration, a prescribing screen that allows a wrong unit, or a busy shift with interruptions during double checking. Under PSIRF, the learning response would look at those factors.

Looking back on a similar near miss I was involved in, the change that helped most was a standard set of concentrations and dose-range alerts on the electronic system. That's the kind of fix I'd want to come out of it.

 

Why this answer works

The answer puts the baby first, involves pharmacy and the consultant immediately, and is open with the family in line with the duty of candour. It reports promptly, supports colleagues and frames learning in terms of systems, which fits PSIRF and a just culture.

 

Key points to include

• Assess and stabilise the baby first and stop further doses
• Involve the pharmacist and the consultant immediately
• Open, honest and prompt communication with parents, with an apology
• Incident report and clear documentation
• Support colleagues and focus on system factors under PSIRF
• Name concrete safety fixes such as standard concentrations and alerts

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing on paperwork before the baby
• Delaying telling the consultant until the morning
• Hiding or minimising the error with the family
• Blaming the individual nurse or prescriber

 

NHS values and standards

Commitment to quality of care; Everyone counts; Working together for patients; GMC Good Medical Practice: openness and honesty when things go wrong

 

Further reading

• GMC and NMC joint guidance: Openness and honesty when things go wrong (professional duty of candour)
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Regulation 20: Duty of candour
• NHS England Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
• Neonatal formulary and local neonatal prescribing guidelines

 

 

Question 7: A term baby is born to a mother whose waters broke 30 hours ago and who had a fever in labour. How would you approach the risk of early-onset sepsis?

Clinical Scenario question  ·  Clinical Scenario

 

What the interview panel is assessing

The panel wants a structured, safe approach to early-onset infection based on current NICE guidance and local practice. They are checking that you recognise red flags, act within an hour when antibiotics are indicated, and also understand antibiotic stewardship and keeping mother and baby together where safe.

 

Model answer

I'd see this as a baby at real risk of early-onset sepsis, because there are two risk factors here, prolonged rupture of membranes and maternal fever in labour, and a fever can be a sign of suspected chorioamnionitis, which NICE treats as a red flag. I'd want to know more though: was mum given intrapartum antibiotics and when, is she group B strep positive, has she any other infection, and how is the baby right now?

Then I'd assess the baby myself: colour, tone, temperature, breathing, heart rate, perfusion, feeding and behaviour. I'd apply our unit's tool. Some trusts use the NICE risk factor and clinical indicator framework and some use a sepsis risk calculator, which NICE recognises for babies born at 34 weeks or more. I'd check which our unit uses and follow it, rather than freelancing.

If the framework or calculator says to treat, which with suspected maternal chorioamnionitis is likely, I'd take a blood culture before antibiotics, a CRP, and start the first-line antibiotics in our guideline, usually benzylpenicillin and gentamicin, aiming to give them within an hour of the decision. I wouldn't delay antibiotics waiting for results. If the baby were unwell, with breathing difficulty, poor perfusion or a seizure, I'd call my senior immediately, and I'd think about a lumbar puncture when it's safe.

Where possible I'd keep the baby with mum on the postnatal ward or in transitional care, depending on the unit, because separating them isn't needed for a well baby on antibiotics. I'd explain to the parents why we're doing this, what we're watching for and roughly how long treatment may last.

Stewardship matters too. If the baby stays well, the cultures are negative and the CRP results are reassuring, NICE supports stopping antibiotics at around 36 hours. I'd make sure the review happens on time and that it's handed over, because unnecessary courses keep families in hospital and expose babies to antibiotics they don't need.

 

Why this answer works

The candidate identifies the risk factors and the red flag, describes using NICE or a recognised calculator per local practice, and acts within the hour with cultures first. It balances safety with stewardship and keeping mother and baby together, which shows mature, current practice.

 

Key points to include

• Identify risk factors and red flags, including suspected chorioamnionitis
• Assess the baby fully and use the unit's NICE-based framework or calculator
• Blood culture before antibiotics; first-line antibiotics within an hour of the decision
• Escalate early if the baby is clinically unwell; consider lumbar puncture
• Keep mother and baby together where safe and explain to parents
• Review at around 36 hours and stop if well with reassuring results

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for blood results before starting antibiotics in a baby who needs them
• Ignoring maternal intrapartum antibiotic history
• Separating a well baby from mum unnecessarily
• Forgetting to review and stop antibiotics when no longer needed

 

NHS values and standards

Commitment to quality of care; Everyone counts; Working together for patients; GMC Good Medical Practice: provide good clinical care

 

Further reading

• NICE guideline NG195: Neonatal infection: antibiotics for prevention and treatment
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidance on group B streptococcal disease
• BAPM Framework for Practice: identification and management of neonatal early-onset infection (where adopted locally)
• Local neonatal antimicrobial guideline

 

 

Question 8: Talk us through how you would manage a term baby who is born floppy and not breathing.

Clinical Scenario question  ·  Clinical Scenario

 

What the interview panel is assessing

This tests whether you know newborn life support well enough to act calmly under pressure. The panel wants a clear, ordered approach in line with the Resuscitation Council UK algorithm, early calls for help, attention to airway and effective ventilation, and awareness of temperature, documentation and the parents.

 

Model answer

I'd start the clock and call for help early, because a floppy, apnoeic baby may need more hands quickly. I'd get the baby onto the resuscitaire under the heater, dry them quickly, remove the wet towel, cover them and put on a hat. Drying is also stimulation. Then I'd assess tone, breathing and heart rate, listening with a stethoscope at the chest.

If the baby isn't breathing, I'd open the airway with the head in a neutral position, and give five inflation breaths with a mask, holding each for a couple of seconds, starting in air for a term baby. Then I'd reassess the heart rate. A rising heart rate tells me the lungs are inflating, which is the most important thing. If there's no increase, I'd look for chest movement. If the chest isn't moving, the problem is almost always the airway, so I'd reposition, use a two-person jaw thrust, think about suction under direct vision if there's an obstruction, and consider a laryngeal mask or intubation depending on my skills and who's arrived. Then I'd repeat the inflation breaths.

Once the chest is moving, I'd give ventilation breaths at around 30 a minute and reassess. I'd attach a pulse oximeter to the right wrist and an ECG if available, because auscultation can be unreliable. If the heart rate stays very slow despite 30 seconds of good, effective ventilation, I'd start chest compressions at three compressions to one breath, increase the oxygen, and make sure a senior is present. At that stage we'd need emergency umbilical venous access for adrenaline and to think about fluids and glucose.

Throughout, I'd keep saying what I'm finding out loud, and I'd make sure someone is noting times. Once the baby is stable I'd think about cord gases, glucose, temperature and whether this baby could have hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and need assessment for cooling. I'd ask a midwife to keep the parents informed during the resuscitation, and afterwards I'd speak to them myself with my senior, and document everything clearly.

 

Why this answer works

The answer follows the NLS sequence accurately: thermal care, assessment, airway, inflation breaths, reassessment, airway manoeuvres, ventilation and then compressions only after effective ventilation. It includes early help, monitoring, timekeeping, post-resuscitation care including cooling assessment, and the parents.

 

Key points to include

• Call for help early, start the clock, dry, wrap and keep warm
• Assess tone, breathing and heart rate
• Five inflation breaths in air for a term baby, then reassess heart rate
• If no response, check chest movement and fix the airway before moving on
• Ventilation, monitoring, then compressions at 3:1 only after effective ventilation
• Post-resuscitation care: gases, glucose, temperature, consider cooling, inform parents, document

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Jumping to chest compressions before ensuring effective lung inflation
• Forgetting thermal care
• Not calling for senior help early
• Poor or missing documentation of times

 

NHS values and standards

Commitment to quality of care; Working together for patients; Improving lives; GMC Good Medical Practice: recognise and work within the limits of your competence

 

Further reading

• Resuscitation Council UK Newborn Life Support guidelines and algorithm
• Resuscitation Council UK Newborn Life Support course manual
• BAPM Framework for Practice: therapeutic hypothermia for neonates
• Local neonatal resuscitation guideline

 

 

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