We provide a specialist regional service and are part of the Northern Neonatal Network.
The unit is based on Ward 35, level four, Leazes Wing at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Specialist care
Medical care for babies is led by consultants, supported by nursing teams on all three areas of the unit:
- intensive care – the highest possible level of intervention and support
- high dependency – higher level of support and close observation
- special care – babies are generally stable and progressing towards discharge
Depending on individual needs, your baby will be cared for in one of these areas.
Small babies who are being fed through a nasogastric tube (a tube that goes into the stomach from the nose) and have no other problems, may be transferred to the postnatal ward with their mother when all is well. Here, they will have the continued support of the transitional care team which works exclusively on the postnatal wards.
This ensures that wherever possible, babies are not separated from their mother in their early days of life.
Family-centred care
Care is provided by a friendly team, which includes doctors, neonatal nurses and physiotherapists. All of our staff have the experience and expertise to ensure your new born baby receives the very best care.
Parents are the most important caregivers and we actively encourage parents to spend as much time as possible with their baby. Our unit is committed to integrated family-centred care and supports parents through the whole journey, which is essential for baby’s growth and development.
Parents can be involved in their baby’s care as much as they wish and can attend review meetings to discuss care and treatment. You are also encouraged to carry out important tasks such as nappy changing.
If parents do not live locally in Newcastle, as soon as baby is ready they can be transferred back to a special care baby unit nearer to home.
Facilities
We have a range of facilities to make your time with us as comfortable as possible:
- a comfortable family room for parents and visitors to sit and relax
- a parent and sibling room with a fridge and microwave
- tea and coffee facilities
- a toilet for parents to use on the unit
- support to help you breastfeed your baby
- a breast feeding room for expressing milk and mobile pumps to express at your babies cot space.
Things you need to know
- Ward rounds are held at 9.30am, 5.00pm and 9.00pm. We encourage parents to attend the ward rounds.
- If you have a concern, you can raise this with the ward sister or ask the nurse caring for your baby to speak to the matron to discuss the issue with you.
- We expect all parents and visitors to follow our hand hygiene code. Please remove your watch and rings with stones. Wash your hands when entering the bays, and gel your hands when you leave the bay.
- All parents are treated with respect and are given the chance to offer opinions and comments about their baby’s care. We expect all parents and visitors to treat our team with the same respect.
Visiting
We welcome parents to the unit and offer 24/7 open visiting so you can spend as much time as you wish/are able to with your baby. Siblings are welcome too.
Visitors may accompany parents but are limited to 3 per cot space (include parent/s).
No children under 16 years, other than siblings, are permitted to visit the neonatal unit.
Location of ward
Ward 35 is on level four of the leazes wing at the RVI. The maternity reception can direct you to the ward.
The unit operates a secure intercom entry system. There may be a delay in answering when you press the buzzer – please be patient.
You will be asked which ward you are visiting before entering the department.
Contact details for the unit 0191 282 5635
Specialist transfer service
We run a 24/7 service for the region, called the northern neonatal transfer service, where we transfer babies who need specialist care from hospitals around the North of England, to the RVI.
If the doctors and nurses decide that your baby is well enough to be transferred from the RVI to another hospital, you can be taken by ambulance with paramedics who have had specialist training. This ensures your baby can be transferred safely, and any care your baby may need during the journey can be given.
Support when leaving the ward
We offer parents training before leaving the unit and the children’s community nursing service provides support in the community for babies with complex needs, or those who need oxygen at home.
Most babies will have follow-up appointments closer to their own homes. Those with more complex needs might need to come back to the RVI for on-going care.
We also have parental support groups that run regularly – please ask your doctor or nurse for more details.
