Case studies
Rolling out a consistent approach to newborn assessment
September 16, 2026
Barts Health NHS Trust set out to introduce the Newborn Early Warning Trigger and Track Tool (NEWTT2) across The Royal London Hospital, Whipps Cross University Hospital and Newham Hospital.
The priority was to create a consistent approach to newborn assessment and escalation across three hospital sites, while helping staff feel confident using the new tool, understand the changes from previous practice and embed it safely into everyday care.
What we did
UCLPartners supported trusts to implement the tool through a programme of regional learning and ongoing improvement support. This included hosting Communities of Practice and a regional learning event, where teams were introduced to the tool, the evidence underpinning its use, and practical approaches for successful implementation.
Alongside this, we provided bespoke support tailored to individual trust needs. This included opportunities to discuss local challenges, share learning from other organisations, and identify solutions to support implementation and embed the tool into routine practice.
Recognising the different levels of digital maturity across organisations, UCLPartners initially supported trusts that wished to implement NEWTT2 using paper-based processes, while working in parallel with digitally enabled sites to plan and prepare for future electronic deployment during the development of the digital solution.
Impact
The programme supported strong staff engagement and successful adoption of NEWTT2 across the Trust.
By combining practical training, clear governance, multidisciplinary collaboration and dedicated implementation leadership, Barts Health has established a more consistent approach to newborn monitoring and escalation.
This has strengthened patient safety, improved staff confidence and created a strong foundation for the planned digital rollout in 2027, offering a practical model for implementation across a large, multi-site organisation.