Parents have open access to the neonatal unit. Relatives and friends are able to visit - please contact the unit for details. During a baby's stay in the neonatal unit, parents can telephone the unit at anytime but for confidentiality reasons we do not give out information to anyone other than the baby's parents and carers. Our neonatal unit consists of a total of 14 cots and some of these cots are designated for babies needing more intensive care. Items that parents need to bring in for their babies are nappies, cotton wool and if they wish, a small washable toy. Breastfeeding support is given by all staff and there is a designated sister for feeding advice. Mums are shown how to express their breast milk and to establish breast feeding when baby is ready to feed. The unit has limited parent accommodation and can offer overnight stays for parents who are preparing for discharge home*, establishing feeds or when the flat is vacant we can offer this to any parents wishing to be closer to their baby. (*Please note that priority will be given to those ready for discharge.) In the summer months, parents can sit out on the patio attached to the neonatal unit. There is a family support worker in the neonatal team who is available to provide support for families during their stay. All babies who are nursed on the neonatal unit for more than 48 hours receive hearing screening (see www.screening.nhs.uk - neonatal hearing screening).
Click here for the paediatric audiology department.
Some extreme premature babies have specialised eye checks. There is a follow up clinic for babies born at 32 weeks and below held on children's outpatients on G floor.
Parents have open access to the neonatal unit. Relatives and friends are able to visit - please contact the unit for details. During a baby's stay in the neonatal unit, parents can telephone the unit at anytime but for confidentiality reasons we do not give out information to anyone other than the baby's parents and carers. Our neonatal unit consists of a total of 12 cots and some of these cots are designated for babies needing more intensive care. Items that parents need to bring in for their babies are nappies, cotton wool and if they wish, a small washable toy.
Breastfeeding support is given by all staff and there is a designated sister for feeding advice. Mums are shown how to express their breast milk and to establish breast feeding when baby is ready to feed.
Please click here for details of our new monthly support group.
We provide care for babies >27 weeks gestation. The units are part of the Wessex Neonatal Network and Regional Neonatal Retrieval service. There are strong links with Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton General and Portsmouth Hospitals. Babies requiring further specialist care e.g. for surgery, are transferred to Southampton, whilst babies with other problems such cleft lip and palate require specialist advice which we are able to access. Services include, 24-hour consultant paediatrician cover, excellent support for breast feeding, routine hearing and eye screening and professional therapist and pharmacy input.
Both units have accommodation for parents to stay with their baby in preparation for discharge.
We provide high quality care, with the lowest national mortality rates for units of this size, lower than national average MRSA rates, and high success rates of breast feeding at discharge. Both units are friendly and caring, offering individualised care to each baby and family. We support parents in making choices for their baby by providing information and advice. Consultant paediatricians undertake a daily ward round and are available to discuss each baby’s care with their parents. Parental input is valued and encouraged. We regularly audit aspects of our service and results are discussed so that appropriate changes can be made.
Sadly we are no longer able to accept knitted most items for either of our neonatal unit, we no longer need hats, blankets or cardigans.
The only knitted items we require are cannula mittens, these are simple socks measuring approx. 15cm in length by 6cm in width.
