Decision

To allow Nottingham Trent University to undertake a randomised controlled trial research study with parents and staff.

Reasons for the decision

Infants who cry for prolonged periods during the first 4 month can lead to parental depression, poor parent-child relationships, problems with child development and in rare cases infant abuse.

Following successful initial small-scale testing, researchers at Nottingham Trent University, University College London and the University of Leicester, funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and supported by the Institute of Health Visiting, are now working with parents and health visitors across the UK to test the Surviving Crying package of care.

Extending the research study wider will test the value and cost effectiveness of using the surviving crying package of care in health visiting practice aiming to reduce parental depression and improving their ability to cope independently compared to statutory health visiting services alone.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.