Parking is free for Parents of babies on the neonatal Unit – please ask on the unit for details how to obtain free parking.
Parking is free for parents/carers who have a child on the Paediatric ward.
We hope that your baby’s stay on the Neonatal Unit will be a satisfactory and comfortable experience. The following information is to help clarify any questions you may have about the unit. If you have any concerns please speak directly to the nurse in charge or contact them on 01206 742 857.
We are a level 2 Neonatal Unit in the Eastern Region. Our unit has 17 cots and provides care for babies who require intensive, high dependency and special care during the newborn period.
The unit has a dedicated team of nurses and doctors specialised in the care of the premature or newborn babies who require additional support. As a team we aim to deliver family centred care. Parents are encouraged to become as involved as possible in the care of their baby. We will discuss the care and treatment your baby requires and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
The medical team carries out a ward round at around 9.30am every day, so your baby will be seen by a Paediatrician and the nursing team. You are welcome to attend ward round when you baby is being seen and ask any questions. The ward round is confidential so other parents will be given head phones or asked to leave the nursery when the team are reviewing your baby. If you wish to speak to doctor at any time please ask a member of staff. Please respect the privacy of other babies and families on the Neonatal Unit.
While your baby is on the Neonatal Unit please provide nappies, cotton wool, cotton buds and muslins. You are welcome to bring in your own clothes and blankets for your baby but please arrange for these to be taken home and laundered. Please label any clothes, blankets or muslins that you bring in to prevent loss.
Nursing staff can be identified by the uniforms they wear. The ward manager and the senior nursing staff wear a navy blue uniform, deputy sisters a royal blue uniform, staff nurses have a blue stripe uniform and nursery nurses a lilac uniform. Staff will introduce themselves to you day by day. Your baby will have a nurse allocated to look after them during each shift. The unit sister or matron are available to speak to you at any time, to address any concerns you may have.
In order to promote an environment that beneficial for your baby’s development we aim to keep noise levels down where possible. Quiet time takes place on the unit between 1pm and 3pm. During this time lights are turned down, only procedures that are urgent will be carried out on your baby and noise will be kept to a minimum (where possible).
Meal times:
Please note: Lunch and dinner on this ward are protected meal times. This allows us to make sure our patients get the time and support they need for their meal.
A family room is provided for your use, where toys are available for baby’s brothers and sisters to play with. The unit has a small kitchen where hot drinks can be made by parents and a microwave oven is available for heating food. Please do not take hot drinks in the nurseries unless they are in a travel mug. Travel mugs can be purchased for £2, please ask a member of staff.
When your baby is nearing discharge you will be offered the opportunity to stay with your baby in one of our mother and baby rooms on the unit. This can help to give you the confidence to provide care for your baby prior to going home. Whilst in the bedrooms breakfast can be obtained from the Neonatal Unit kitchen. Mothers are provided with a hot lunch and a light tea. Catering staff will come and collect menu choices.
We have a well-equipped playroom and a schoolroom with adjacent outside soft play.
Tracy Adams
For further information please click here
The Neonatal Lead Nurse is
Laura Grover
The Neonatal Lead Clinician is
Ramona Onita
The Paediatric Critical Care Lead Nurses are
Gary Moriarty
Amy Bruce
The Paediatric Critical Care Lead Clinicians are
Ahmed Ali
Andrea Turner
The Surgery in Children Lead Nurses are
Jo Trott
Michelle Duffney
The Surgery in Children Lead Clinician are
Shiv Shanker
Raseen Athem
Shazia Sharif
