Special Care

The low dependency section of the neonatal unit centres around the nursery. The babies cared for here are either growing and learning to feed before going home, or maybe receiving low flow oxygen.

Parents are encouraged to spend as much time as they can with their babies, washing, changing or feeding them.

Experienced, friendly midwives, neonatal nurses and nursery nurses are on hand to support mothers with breast and bottle feeding, and advise on topics such as expressing breast milk or equipment needed for baby at home.

The neonatal unit has excellent facilities for parents, so that they can be comfortable in spending long periods with their babies. There is a sitting room, a kitchen for making hot drinks, and a bathroom with toilet and washing facilities. A bedroom is available for parents who want to stay with their babies before taking them home, and a playroom keeps little brothers and sisters amused while parents are visiting.

Transitional Care

We are fortunate to have a purpose - built ward which offers a relaxed, friendly and homely environment for 11 mothers and their babies. Accommodation is an individual en-suite room where ‘rooming in’ is encouraged day and night. High quality post-natal care is provided by a team of midwives, and mothers are also supported in the care of their babies by experienced nursery nurses.

The ward admits babies weighing over 1.7 kg who are either pre-term or growth retarded, multiple births, and babies with abnormalities such as cleft lip and palate. The enhanced staff:patient ratio, together with the support of a Breast Feeding Advisor, ensure a high rate of breast feeding success for all groups.

Early discharge to the community is facilitated by the Community Neonatal Service.

The ward offers an excellent teaching environment for student midwives and others. Regular updating is available for all staff, and there are ample opportunities to attend study days, both internal and external.

This page was last modified on Fri May 07 2010