Understanding perinatal community nursery nurses' experiences, qualifications and thoughts : a survey response

The author is a Senior Perinatal Community Nursery Nurse at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The increase in the number of Perinatal Community Nursery Nurses (PCNN) nationally from 2016/2017, and the expansion and development of multi-disciplinary teams within Perinatal services, led to much debate within the Perinatal Community Nursery Nurse (PCNN) workforce, over the varying requirements of the role across different National Health Service Trusts.
A questionnaire on the role of the PCNN was formulated based on topics raised by PCNNs themselves and the wider clinical NHS staff in perinatal specialist services. The questionnaire was completed between April and September 2021. Both qualitative and quantitative responses were analysed.
The PCNNs who completed the questionnaires are from National Health Service (NHS) Trusts nationally. All data were anonymised both by respondent and specific NHS Trust.
The results show that the majority of respondents would like to see
1. a national standardised PCNN role with recognition of its specialism and knowledge base, in particular
relation to mental health, parent-infant relationships, risk assessment and lone working.
2. the role renamed and additional PCNN specialist training provided that acknowledges the differences
in this role compared to that of other Nursery Nursing roles, both within private and public employment.
This would standardise working practice and development within perinatal services with specific
reference to the PCNN role in the community.
3. the provision of a formal body or registration, where they can seek guidance, information and
networking, acknowledging PCNN professionalism and quality of provision.
4. pay banding reviewed nationally to acknowledge the autonomous working and risk that PCNNs
carry regularly when fulfilling their roles, compared to that of other Nursery Nurse roles within the NHS.