Congratulations on the birth of your baby and welcome to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)
Our goal is to provide family integrated care. We will keep you informed about all aspects of your baby’s care and include you as much as possible in meeting your baby’s needs.
Please talk to us if you have any worries and ask any questions. The team are here to support you and your family.
Arriving at SCBU
On entering the unit, please hang up all outdoor clothing and wash/gel your hands.
If you feel unwell in any way, or have flu/Covid19 symptoms, please do not come into the hospital and contact us for advice.
Unit information
The SCBU has 2 stabilisation and 4 special care cots. We specialise in the care of newborn babies requiring care due to prematurity or health issues after delivery.
Our consultant-led team includes paediatric consultants and doctors, advanced neonatal nurse practitioners, nurses and nursery nurses, supported by other health and social care professionals to deliver individualised care for your baby. All staff wear ID badges and everyone who comes into the unit is authorised by the team before entry.
Finding out that your baby needs some time in Special Care can be a difficult and emotional time. You may feel anxious about why your baby is here and unsure of what is happening.
The team caring for your baby will help and guide you. We will ensure that you are given full information about your baby’s condition and their needs. If there is anything you do not understand or you have any questions, please ask any member of the team.
Family Integrated Care (FiCare)
Inside this welcome pack, you will find a set of neonatal journey cards, called Baby Steps. The cards contain useful information and resources to help support you during your baby’s stay on the unit.
We encourage you to be as involved as possible, enabling you to become expert in your baby’s care and confident parents. We offer feeding support and advice tailored to you and your baby’s needs and will be there to help you anytime you need it.
Quiet time
Lights are dimmed for “quiet time’ which takes place every day from 1-2pm when babies and families have time without intervention as much as possible, unless there is an emergency event. This time can be used for kangaroo care, resting, or reading to your baby. Please check out our little book corner located next to Koala Bear nursery where you will find a lovely range of books to borrow.
Doctors rounds
The doctors carry out daily ward rounds. We fully encourage you to attend the ward rounds to participate in discussing your baby’s progress and plan for treatment with the team. To respect confidentiality, if your baby is in a shared nursery, you may be asked to step out when the doctors are discussing other babies or to use headphones.
Visiting
As partners in care, parents/carers have open (24/7) access to their baby whilst admitted to the unit. The team are also very pleased to welcome siblings and Grandparents to visit with a parent(s) (maximum 2 visitors per cot) between 2pm-8pm. One of the nursing team will complete a family tree with you after admission and explain our visiting policy.
Protecting your baby
Premature and sick babies are extremely vulnerable to infections, and it is recommended that handling of your baby is restricted to parents/carers only to protect them. If you or one of your visitors are unwell or has flu/Covid19 symptoms, please let one of the team know and avoid coming in.
During very busy periods, we may need to ask your visitors to come at pre-arranged times. We understand that this situation may be upsetting for everyone but please be assured that we are here to support you. Please work with us to help keep your babies safe.
Free Wi-Fi is available for use of digital services such as FaceTime and What’s App to help you to stay in touch with partners and close family. Please respect the privacy and confidentiality of other babies if your baby is in a shared nursery. Remember to set your mobile phone to silent when on the unit to help keep noise levels down.
Facilities for parents
Our family dayroom is available 24/7 where you can take a break. Here you will find food, snacks and drinks (donated by Sophie’s Legacy for parents/carers), facilities to make hot drinks, a TV, microwave, and fridge freezer.
You are welcome to have water bottles at cot side or ask one of the team for a jug of fresh water. We have reusable lidded cups for hot drinks. Please do not take any hot food into the nurseries.
The quiet room is available for anyone needing time out or to express in private if not able to do this at cot side for any reason. Please do not hesitate to ask a member of the team.
A toilet and washroom are available for visitors to use. We also have a parent’s suite which is available to support you when your baby is close to being discharged.
Car parking
Whilst your baby is in the SCBU, we can provide free car parking for parents. Please speak to the Nurse in Charge with your car registration number so we can inform Security.
Information sharing
You can contact us any time using the unit’s direct telephone number (see top). Information over the telephone will only be provided to parents/carers. For confidentiality, please do not visit or ask questions about other babies on the unit. If you have any security or health and safety concerns, please speak to one of the team.
