There has been a shift from post-registration to pre-registration midwifery provision for examination of the newborn education and training for several years. Originally driven by the aim of increasing the provision of holistic care and supporting continuity, it resulted in the integration of the theoretical and practical skills required to undertake this screening examination. Drawing on global and national approaches to newborn screening, debate has been generated around this practice skill through the lens of midwifery competency, proficiency and standardisation of practice.

In the UK, the newborn screening examination is named and operationalised differently locally and nationally. Newborn infant physical examination (NIPE) and systematic examination of the newborn (SEN) are used interchangeably but may have different meanings. According to NHS England, NIPE screening of the heart, hips, eyes and testes forms part of the wider systematic examination of the newborn. These are usually undertaken at the same time and there are mandatory reporting mechanisms around them.

There is no national standardisation of taught and assessed components across the pre registration midwifery curriculum, including skills acquisition. This has resulted in perceived variances and a possible risk in differing approaches across approved education institutions and subsequently in clinical practice.

Key recommendations are made for practice, research and education.