If you know your baby will need to be admitted to our neonatal unit, we will make sure that you have the opportunity to visit the unit in preparation for the birth and admission of your baby.
Our staff appreciate it can be distressing for you to have your baby or babies admitted to our unit so soon after they have been born. We are here to help and will do our best to minimise the effects of the separation. You will be encouraged to be involved as soon as possible with caring for your baby.
Visiting your baby
We’ve produced a simple policy providing advice for those wishing to visit the neonatal unit at the Lister:
Trust’s neonatal unit visiting policy
Handwashing is extremely important for everyone visiting the unit. Handwashing instructions are provided at the entrance to the unit and in all the nurseries. Please remove watches and bracelets, roll up your sleeves and use the gel lotion provided after washing and drying your hands.
Please let us know if you or your visitors have been unwell or have recently been in contact with chicken pox.
Coin operated lockers are provided for items to be stored during your visit.
Parents of babies admitted to the unit can access free parking. Please discuss parking with the nurse caring for your baby.
Ward Rounds
Ward rounds are led by the Consultants and carried out on a daily basis, in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. During ward rounds Consultants are happy to meet parents to discuss any queries or concerns.
Security
The area is monitored by CCTV.
There are three security doors you will need to go through before entering our unit. If our staff are busy attending to a baby there may be a delay in answering the door bell. Everyone must take responsibility to ensure the door is closed after them. Please do not let unauthorised visitors follow you into the unit.
ITU & HD Rooms
The nurse caring for your baby will provide information and support to help you become comfortable when you visit. Your baby may be attached to monitors and equipment and your nurse will be able to explain what it is for.
Special Care Nurseries
There are three special care nurseries. Babies who do not require intensive or high dependency care are nursed in these rooms until discharged home or transferred to the postnatal ward or transitional care.
Transitional Care
We provide transitional care which is situated on the postnatal ward. Transitional care is for babies who need some medical treatment but do not require admission to the special care nurseries.
Outreach
We provide an outreach service, the aim of which is help with earlier discharge home from the unit. Your baby will be visited at home on a regular basis by the neonatal outreach sisters once discharged from the hospital. This option will be discussed fully – and planned – with you.
Support group
The Lister hospital special care support group is run by parents whose babies have needed to spend time in special care after their birth. You can find out more about them on their website
