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Neonatal Family Advisory Council

The Wesley Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Advisory Council's mission is to encourage the values of family-centered care, to promote quality communication between families and staff, to provide a family-centered perspective to Wesley staff and administration, and to educate and empower families about their children’s care.

Who are the FAC members?

The members of the Family Advisory Council have had babies in Wesley Medical Center’s NICU. Generally they are parents, although they do not have to be parents. They all share a desire to help the Wesley NICU become an even stronger facility through family-centered care and a passion for helping current NICU families.
 
For more details, go to www.wesleynsnfac.com.
 

What is family-centered care?

Family-Centered Care is an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of healthcare. Healthcare professionals and family members work together in a partnership that honors everyone’s strengths and expertise as we work together for the best interests of the children.

Core Concepts:
  • Dignity and respect. Healthcare practitioners honor family perspectives and choices. Family knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care.
  • Information sharing. Healthcare practitioners communicate and share complete and unbiased information with families.
  • Participation. Families are encouraged and supported in participating in care and decision-making at the level they choose.
  • Collaboration. Patients and families are also included on an institution-wide basis. Health care leaders collaborate with patients and families in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in healthcare facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.

What we do for families

The Advisory Council can assist current NICU families in several direct and indirect ways by:
  • Speaking up for the needs and ideas of NICU families.
  • Connecting people with the correct contacts in the hospital.
  • Providing parent-to-parent support.
  • Improving the comfort level of families.
  • Providing families information and identifying resources.

What we don’t do

  • Promote special interest groups for profit.
  • Act as a spokesperson between parents and the healthcare provider.
  • Provide financial aid.
  • Give medical advice.

Some of our current projects and services

Parent-to-Parent Support

NICU parents are matched with FAC volunteers who have been through similar experiences. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can make a big difference.

 

Coffee Time

Periodically, coffee and other refreshments are provided in the NICU waiting room, for parents to meet and talk with one another. This is a good time to meet members of the Advisory Council.

 

Resource Library

Keeping the Resource Library current with information that is accessible, noticeable, and user-friendly.

 

Parents as Partners

FAC members help hospital staff review policies, procedures, and educational materials, giving a family viewpoint.

 

How do I join?

If your child is currently in the NICU, let your nurse know that you are interested in becoming a FAC member after your child is discharged. The nurse can provide you with an application. You can also email the FAC Chairperson at fac.wesley@gmail.com for more information.
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