A longitudinal cohort study to investigate the retention of knowledge and skills following attendance on the Newborn Life support course.

Aim: To investigate whether airway management and non-invasive ventilatory skills are retained after the Neonatal Life support (NLS) course.

Methods: Candidates who attended and passed the NLS course were retested by two registered instructors using the NLS 'airway testing sheet' unannounced at 3-5 and 12-14 months after their NLS course. Prior to the test, they were also asked to complete a proforma, indicating their own assessment of their competence in being able to effectively carry out all the items used in the NLS airway test.