The Neonatal Unit at the Lister Hospital provides specialist care for premature and sick newborn babies who require additional monitoring, treatment, or support following birth.
We understand that admission to the neonatal unit can be a worrying and emotional time for parents and families. Our experienced neonatal team is here to provide expert care for your baby while supporting you throughout your neonatal journey.
If you know before birth that your baby may require neonatal care, we will, wherever possible, arrange a visit to the unit and provide information about what to expect. Our team will explain the care your baby may need and answer any questions you may have.
We believe parents are partners in care. You are an important member of your baby’s care team, and we encourage you to be involved in your baby’s care and decision-making from the earliest opportunity. Family-centred care, bonding, and supporting your confidence as parents are at the heart of everything we do.
Intensive Care and High Dependency Care
Some babies require intensive monitoring, specialist treatment, or respiratory support. Your baby’s nurse will explain any equipment, monitors, and treatments being used and provide ongoing support and guidance.
Special Care
Babies who no longer require intensive or high dependency care may be cared for within our Special Care Nursery. Here, babies continue to receive support while developing feeding skills, growing, and preparing for discharge home.
Transitional Care
Transitional Care allows some babies who require additional monitoring or treatment to remain with parents on the postnatal ward rather than being admitted to the neonatal unit. This helps families stay together while receiving the support they need.
Neonatal Outreach Service
Our Neonatal Outreach Team supports families as their baby transitions from hospital to home.
For some babies, discharge home can take place earlier with support from our specialist neonatal outreach nurses. The team provides planned home visits, advice, and ongoing support to ensure your baby continues to thrive after leaving hospital.
Your baby’s neonatal team will discuss this option with you and create a personalised discharge plan when appropriate.
Working with hospital services
Our team is committed to delivering safe, compassionate, family-centred neonatal care.
We work closely with maternity services, specialist networks, community teams, and families to give every baby the best possible start in life while supporting parents throughout their neonatal journey.
To help protect our vulnerable babies from infection:
- Please wash and dry your hands thoroughly before entering the unit and use the hand gel provided.
- Remove watches and bracelets and roll up long sleeves before handwashing.
- Please let staff know if you, or anyone planning to visit, have been unwell or have recently been in contact with chickenpox or other infectious illnesses.
Coin-operated lockers are available for storing personal belongings during your visit.
Free parking is available for parents with babies admitted to the neonatal unit. Please speak to the nurse caring for your baby for further information.
You can familiarise yourself with the visiting policy here.
Our dedicated Family Support Nurse is available to support families before, during, and after their baby’s neonatal admission. If it is known during pregnancy that your baby may require neonatal care, the Family Support Nurse can meet with you before admission to help you understand what to expect, answer any questions, and provide emotional support as you begin your neonatal journey.
Throughout your baby’s stay, the Family Support Nurse offers ongoing practical and emotional support, helping families navigate their neonatal experience, access available resources, and feel confident and involved in their baby’s care.
Psychological support
Having a baby on the neonatal unit can impact the emotional wellbeing of parents, siblings, and the wider family. We recognise that every family’s experience is different.
A Clinical Psychologist is available to provide psychological support for families during their neonatal journey. This support can help parents and families cope with the challenges of neonatal admission, process difficult experiences, and build resilience during and after their baby’s hospital stay.
Ward Rounds
Consultant-led ward rounds take place daily. Whenever possible, parents are encouraged to attend and discuss their baby’s progress, treatment plans, and any concerns with the neonatal team.
Accommodation and family facilities
We aim to minimise the impact of separation and support family involvement wherever possible. Information about family facilities and accommodation options can be provided by the neonatal team during your baby’s admission.
Security
The Neonatal Unit is a secure area monitored by CCTV.
There are several security-controlled doors before entering the unit. If staff are busy caring for babies there may occasionally be a short delay in answering the door. To help keep babies safe:
- Ensure doors close securely behind you
- Do not allow anyone else to enter behind you (this is known as tailgating)
- Follow all security instructions provided by staff.
Parent 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
We are proud to have achieved UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Stage 2 accreditation and are working towards Stage 3 accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to supporting parent-infant relationships and infant feeding. The unit also holds Silver Bliss Baby Charter Accreditation, recognising our dedication to providing family-centred neonatal care and ensuring parents are active partners in their baby’s care journey.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are currently working towards Bliss Baby Charter Gold Accreditation, building on the progress already achieved through our Silver Award. This work focuses on further strengthening partnership working with families, enhancing parental involvement in care and decision-making, and ensuring the voices and experiences of families continue to shape and improve our neonatal services.
