Neonatal intensive care units: visiting policies for grandparents

Most neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the UK now permit grandparents and siblings to enter but there has been no systematic evaluation of current policies for visiting. Postal questionnaires were used to obtain data from all qualified nurses/midwives (N = 265) and doctors (N = 63) employed in the seven largest NICUs in Scotland. Subsequently, parents and grandparents of very low birth weight (VLBW) babies were sent questionnaires one month after delivery and one month after the babies' discharge home. 93 families participated. Areas under investigation were sources of support and their perceptions of current visiting policies. Overall professionals found working with grandparents the least liked aspect of their job and there was widespread dissatisfaction with existing policies for grandparents' involvement which were not seen to meet perceived needs. Although most grandparents were tolerant of the restrictions limiting their access, parents were far less satisfied on their behalf. Families and staff alike called for a revision of policies and a much greater voice in decision making for the parents and relatives themselves.