In a report, Bliss singled out Royal Preston Hospital for developing new ideas and practical steps to improve care for babies and their families in a section entitled Examples Of Caring For Families.

A special bubble room at the hospital, which allows parents to spend time alone with their tiny baby in the neonatal unit, has been highlighted as an example of good practice.

The report, which questioned nearly 500 parents about their experiences of neonatal care, says: "Parents often tell Bliss that they don't feel like a mum or dad until they have left the unfamiliar setting of the unit.

"The bubble room in Preston is an excellent example of staff taking steps to help parents adjust to their new role as mum or dad of a vulnerable baby."

New mum Caroline Barnes, 32, who lives in Leyland with husband Mike, is one of the mums who has used the bubble room with her baby twins Henry and Sophie.

Caroline gave birth nine weeks early.

Because of their prematurity, Henry and Sophie needed a little extra help and monitoring in incubators in the neonatal unit.

They have been in there for a month and are doing very well and will soon be allowed home.

Caroline says the bubble room has been a great place for her to bond with her babies alone, away from the hospital environment.

For the full story and more photographs see Tuesday's Lancashire Evening Post



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