HEA4094 – Examination of the Newborn

Module code:	HEA4094
Level:	7
Module credits:	20
Cost for new students:	£1060 for 2026/7

If your tuition fee is being paid by a sponsor or you are a sponsor paying a student’s fee, you are required to send a copy of a purchase order to [email protected].

For further guidance please visit: Sponsored students – Edge Hill University

Who is this module for?

This module is designed for healthcare practitioners who wish to develop the knowledge, skills and competence required to undertake the examination of the newborn.

The approved module specification identifies eligible participants as registered midwives, GMC-registered doctors, health visitors and nurses, as well as student midwives and doctors working towards registered status.

The module is particularly relevant to practitioners seeking to develop an extended role in newborn examination and enhance their ability to recognise deviations from normal, initiate appropriate referral and contribute to effective management of conditions affecting newborn infants.

Please note you need to be employed or have access to a suitable practice environment and practice supervisors and assessors in order to undertake this module. If you have any questions about this, please contact the module lead.

What are the key aims of the module?

The module aims to prepare healthcare practitioners to undertake the extended examination of the newborn, developing the knowledge, clinical skills and professional expertise required for this area of practice. You will be supported to:

• develop knowledge of neonatal anatomy, physiology and pathology;
• develop skills in observation, palpation and auscultation;
• recognise deviations from normal and support the early detection of abnormalities or acute illness;
• understand appropriate referral and management pathways;
• critically examine professional autonomy and accountability when undertaking examination of the newborn; and
• develop competence and confidence in performing a systematic physical examination of the newborn.

How will I study?

You will learn through a combination of live online teaching and tutorials, case-based learning, simulated clinical practice, guided independent study and supervised practice in your clinical area. A practical workshop provides the opportunity to develop and practice examination skills in a simulated environment before further development in clinical practice. The face-to-face aspect of the teaching is highly recommended but not compulsory for successful completion.

What will I study?

• Fetal development and adaptation to extrauterine life
• Neonatal anatomy and physiology
• Principles of examination of the newborn
• Systematic physical examination of the newborn
• Observation, palpation and auscultation
• Newborn screening standards and pathways
• Recognition of deviations from normal
• Referral and management of identified abnormalities
• Relevant antenatal and perinatal factors
• Ethical, legal and professional considerations
• Professional autonomy and accountability
• Evidence-based and reflective clinical practice

How will I be assessed?

Assessment comprises two components, and both must be successfully completed to gain the module credits.

Coursework

You will complete a 2,000-word critical analysis examining the role of the practitioner in relation to professional autonomy and accountability within examination of the newborn. The written assessment accounts for 100% of the graded coursework assessment.

Sessions will take place alongside the level 6 version of the module with extra tutorial and assessment for those wishing to work towards level 7 qualification.

Clinical/practical assessment

You will complete 25 newborn examinations and five critical reflections, recorded within a portfolio or practice record. The 25th examination is summatively assessed by an appropriately qualified practitioner identified by the module specification, such as a Consultant Paediatrician, EON midwife, ANNP or GP. This element is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Please note you need to be employed or have access to a suitable practice environment and practice supervisors and assessors in order to undertake this module. If you have any questions about this, please contact the module lead.

The module specification states that students are expected to undertake a minimum of 25 clinical newborn examinations, with 20 contributing formatively to the development of the skills required for summative assessment.

Both components must be passed to achieve the module credits.

Additionally you will be asked to complete a written assignment related to the role of the professional in the examination of the newborn. 

On successful completion you will:

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically analyse your professional autonomy and accountability in examination of the newborn, critically apply knowledge and clinical examination skills to recognise deviations from normal, and competently undertake physical examination of the newborn within the specified postnatal period.

Approved learning outcomes
• Critically analyse the role of the practitioner in relation to professional autonomy and accountability in the field of examination of the newborn.
• Critically apply knowledge to develop competencies in the skills of observation, palpation and auscultation in detecting deviations from the normal.
• Competently undertake physical examination of the newborn within the first 6-72 hours Study dates and venues

Study dates and venues

How to apply

Use the University’s current standard CPD/postgraduate application wording and link, together with the standard information for sponsored students. Application arrangements should not be inferred from the module specification.

Contact us

For further information about the module content, please contact:
Emma Sprawson, Module Leader
[email protected]