Ward 35 – also known as the neonatal intensive care unit or special care baby unit (SCBU) – provides care for babies who are born prematurely. We also treat babies who have breathing or heart problems, require surgery or have other complex health needs.
We are the regional centre of excellence for neonatal care in the North of England.
You can find out more about our special care baby unit service here.
Facilities
We have a range of facilities to make your time with us as comfortable as possible:
- a comfortable family room for parents to sit and relax
- a fridge for you to keep snacks fresh
- tea and coffee facilities
- toilet for mothers on the green area
- we promote breastfeeding and will support you to breastfeed your baby. We have breast pumps to support breastfeeding mothers
- two breast feeding rooms for expressing breast milk.
We try to support parents with parking and travelling expenses – please ask the nurse who is caring for your baby for advice.
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.
- We welcome parents to the unit and have an open visiting policy.
- Parents have access to the notes at the cot every day so they can update themselves with their baby’s care.
- 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 have information about the PALS service (add link) in the family room.
- 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.
Ward visiting times
Monday to Friday 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 2pm – 8pm
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 entry system. You will be asked which ward you are visiting before entering the department.
The Neonatal Unit uses an intercom system for you to enter. There may be a delay in answering when you press the buzzer – please be patient as staff may be attending to an emergency.
Contact
Please call 0191 282 5635
