CompletedInterventional

A study working with healthcare professionals and parents/carers to explore whether giving information resources about medicines helps parents take their baby home from a neonatal unit

Bringing a baby home from a neonatal unit is a big step, and many parents worry about giving medicines correctly. The PADDINGToN-2 study is testing new information resources, created together with parents, to make this transition easier and safer. Researchers want to see if providing clear guides before leaving the hospital helps parents feel more confident and lowers their anxiety about home medicines. In this study, parents fill out brief surveys before and after discharge. Parents can also choose to keep a simple 12-week medicine diary or share feedback in a short interview. The study does not test any new drugs or change your baby's treatment. Instead, it checks whether these information guides are practical and helpful. What researchers learn will help design a larger UK study to support neonatal families across the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

01 Oct 2024

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2026

Whether giving information resources about medicines helps parents/carers take their baby home from a neonatal unit

What is this study about?

Taking your baby home from a neonatal unit is a wonderful milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. Many babies who have spent time in special care need to carry on taking prescription medicines at home. Parents often worry about measuring doses properly, remembering schedules, or coping with possible side effects. Finding clear, trustworthy advice when you are back home is not always easy.

The PADDINGToN-2 study aims to change that. Researchers worked closely with parents and neonatal healthcare teams to design easy-to-understand information guides about medicines. This study tests how well these guides work in real life. The team wants to find out if giving parents these resources before they leave the hospital helps reduce worry and helps them feel capable and confident caring for their baby.

This project is what doctors call a feasibility study. That means it looks at how easy the study is to join, how well it fits into family life, and the best ways to ask parents about their feelings. The findings will help researchers create a larger nationwide study, with the ultimate goal of making medicine safety clearer and less stressful for all families leaving neonatal care.

Key takeaways

Tests new, parent-designed information resources about baby medicines.
Aims to reduce parent anxiety and increase confidence when leaving the neonatal unit.
No new medicines are tested; your baby receives standard NHS treatment.
Involves brief questionnaires, with optional extras like a 12-week home diary.
Open to parents whose baby will need prescription medicine at home, with interpreters available.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to parents and carers whose baby is currently being looked after in a neonatal unit and will need to keep taking prescription medicine after going home. Parents whose baby left a neonatal unit on medicine within the last two to five years can also join a parent advisory group to share their past experiences. Neonatal healthcare staff can take part as well.

Families who do not speak English are warmly welcomed. The study team can arrange interpreters and translation services so you can take part fully.

The study is not suitable for families whose baby is expected to stop all medicines before going home. Sadly, parents cannot join if their baby has a life-limiting illness and is not expected to survive. Parents must also be comfortable with audio or video recording if they choose to join the optional interviews or discussions.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

My baby is currently in a neonatal unit and will need medicines after going home (or was discharged on medicines in the last 2 to 5 years).
My baby's medicines are planned to continue at home and will not stop before discharge.
I am willing to complete brief questionnaires about my confidence and feelings around medicines.
I am comfortable with audio or video recording if I choose to take part in an optional interview.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the main study is designed to be simple and fit around caring for your baby. You will fill in brief questionnaires before leaving the neonatal unit and again after you are settled at home. Your baby will not be given any experimental medicines; they will receive their standard NHS care and prescriptions just as normal.

There are also three optional activities that you can choose to take part in, depending on your time and preference. You can keep a simple medicine diary for 12 weeks at home, have a brief chat with researchers during a routine 4-week clinic visit, or take part in a short feedback interview within a month of finishing the main questionnaires. Overall, your involvement lasts from just before discharge up to about three to four months after going home.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no physical risks involved, as the study does not change your baby's medical care. Some questionnaire items ask about your stress and confidence levels, but they have been carefully reviewed by other neonatal parents to ensure they are sensitive. You can skip any question you do not wish to answer. While taking part may not directly change your baby's treatment, the information guides may help you feel more confident managing medicines at home, and your feedback will help support future parents. Joining is entirely your choice, and you can withdraw at any time without it affecting your baby's NHS care.

Locations (4)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Liverpool, England
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Wirral, England
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Liverpool, England
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
City only
Leeds, England

Common questions

Does this study involve testing new medicines on my baby?

No. The study only looks at information guides and leaflets. Your baby will only receive their normal medicines prescribed by their doctor.

Will taking part affect my baby's hospital discharge date?

No. Taking part will not delay your discharge or change any of your baby's medical plans.

What if English is not my first language?

You are still welcome to take part. The study team can provide translation and interpretation services to support you.

Do I have to do all the optional parts?

No. You only need to complete the short questionnaires. The diary, clinic chat, and interview are completely optional.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes. You can stop taking part at any point without giving a reason, and your baby's care will not be affected.

How to find out more

Louise Bracken

louise.bracken@alderhey.nhs.uk +44 (0)151 252 5570 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.