Neo Bloom: A collaborative study evaluating the experiences of families in the Neonatal Unit.

Condition/exposure: Admission to the Neonatal Unit is often associated with emotional distress, uncertainty and unmet educational and support needs for families. This study explores parent experiences and staff perspectives to inform the co-design of a family-centred digital support resource. Participants will complete one study phase or both phases depending on eligibility and interest. Phase 1 – Online Survey Parents and neonatal healthcare professionals will complete a single anonymous online questionnaire administered via Microsoft Forms. Phase 2 - The workshop was conducted 2 months after the final data collection from phase 1. The survey includes: - demographic questions - multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions - optional free-text responses exploring experiences, communication, education, emotional support, family-centred care, discharge preparation, and preferences for digital resources. Estimated completion time: 15–20 minutes Observation period: One-time survey completed during the recruitment period. Phase 2 – Collaborative Co-design Workshop A purposive sample of parents and multidisciplinary neonatal staff who indicate interest during Phase 1 will be invited to attend a collaborative workshop. Participants will: - discuss findings from Phase 1 - share experiences of the neonatal journey - participate in facilitated experience-mapping activities - identify unmet support needs - generate ideas for future family-centred digital resources. The workshop will be facilitated by members of the Neo Bloom research team. Duration: One workshop, approximately 3 hours, single attendance only Workshop discussions will be audio-recorded and supplemented by facilitator notes and written activities for qualitative analysis.