Imogen Harrison directs Stirring Film for NHS Neonatal Care

Creative agency 2050, the NHS Thames Valley & Wessex (TV&W) and Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) Southeast Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN) are highlighting the incredible work of neonatal nurses in a new recruitment campaign for the NHS and for the specialty of neonatal (new born) care.

The campaign is driven by an emotive 90 second film revealing from the unique perspective of nurses the multi-talented skills required to care for neonatal patients and their families.

Kim Edwards, Gina Outram, Jen Lomas and Louise Proffitt (Neonatal Nurses) from the TV&W and KSS Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN) challenged 2050 to find a creative solution that could drive awareness of this career and do it in a way that would attract the right type of candidates to the role.

Written by award-winning creatives Jack Stephens and Matt Saunby and directed by Imogen Harrison the team paint a vivid picture through a series of authentic black and white stills, provided by the parents and staff they met on the neonatal units and online parent communities.

The powerful voice over of BAFTA recognised actor Lennie James challenges nurses to think about if they could handle the intensity of being a neonatal nurse. From performing a transfusion with only five millilitres of blood through a vein the size of a hair. To teach a bewildered dad how to change a nappy without disturbing any intravenous tubes, to delivering unthinkable news.

Saunby, executive creative director said, “This is a lifesaving department that cares for babies in the delicate first moments of their lives. But being a neonatal nurse is no easy option. Every day you are making huge life or death decisions about tiny human beings in the first stages of their lives. We wanted to tell this truth in a truly inspiring & motivating way.’’

Imogen Harrison, director, “We wanted to make this feel deeply authentic. As if the film was made by nurses in collaboration with the parents, so it felt true to the lived experience. The production ended up being just that – deep insights and stills straight from the nurses and parents.

Kim Edwards, ODN lead nurse workforce and education strategy lead said, "1 in 13 babies will be born needing Neonatal specialist care and it can take around 10 members of a team to care for one neonate (consultant, doctor, nurse, therapists, Clinical Psychologists etc.) At the core of the team are a set of multi-talented, highly educated and trained nurses. Yet we don’t currently attract our fair share of talent from within the NHS and beyond. Our campaign aims to change this by showing those who relish working in acute care settings that neonatal nursing is the place to work and develop a career pathway.’’

Adam Morrison, founder and director of 2050 said, “The NHS is the biggest employer in Europe and the world’s largest employer of highly skilled professionals. Being able to help them find more amazing talent in such a critical job is a great privilege.’’

The campaign launched 22nd June and will run across the NHS’s network and social media in the UK.