A new digital notes system has been launched to replace paper documentation at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).  

After over a year of planning, the BadgerNet Notes app will be used by staff at the Royal Stoke University Hospital NICU to record all aspects of care for babies on the Unit including medical and nursing notes, ward rounds, procedures, and communication with families and external services. 

The UHNM has explained that the app, used by more than 200 NHS Trusts across the UK, is a secure cloud-based neonatal and maternity system designed to make patient records accurate, accessible and efficient.  

BadgerNet will allow healthcare professionals to see and update patient information instantly so multiple team members can work on notes at the same time. 

The UHNM has also said that the app will help to ensure that care continues smoothly when babies and their families move between hospitals. 

Helen Amison, BadgerNet coordinator at UHNM, said: "Introducing BadgerNet is an important step forward for NICU. 

"Having an electronic patient record means we can provide safer, more efficient and better-coordinated care. 

"It also allows our teams to access and update information instantly in real time, reducing duplication and ensuring everyone involved in a baby's care has the most up-to-date details. 

"One of the most exciting new features for families is parent reports that let staff send parents regular updates about their baby's care. 

"We know how important clear communication is for parents, and this feature allows us to use simple language, explain medical terms, and help families understand their baby's progress and stay involved in their care." 

BadgerNet also shares data with the National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP), which tracks and compares neonatal care across the UK to help maintain high, consistent standards. 

The system also includes multilingual options for families whose first language is not English. 

The launch comes after over a year of planning by NICU, UHNM Digital Services and BadgerNet developers, with support from Badger user managers in NICU who supported with setup, training, and rollout. 

UHNM chief executive, Dr Simon Constable said: "Digital transformation features very heavily in our UHNM strategy, and aligns closely with the ambitions set out in the NHS 10 Year Plan. 

"The introduction of systems like BadgerNet ensures that we provide safer, more efficient, and more connected care for our patients and their families." 

Katy Edwards, NICU matron, said: "This has been a real team effort, and we're incredibly proud of the hard work from everyone involved. 

"This upgrade will help us continue to deliver safe, high-quality, and family-focused care for UHNM's smallest and most vulnerable patients."