About the neonatal unit
The Neonatal Surgical Unit is now located in the Yellow Zone of Ward 1C. It utilises nine cubicles, with one cubicle in the Blue Zone. Each cubicle has en-suite facilities with a sofa bed for a Parent/Carer to stay next to their baby.
Within this unit, we provide specialist care for newborn babies, many of whom will have had or require surgery.
Contact Numbers
Main Hospital telephone number: 0151 228 4811
Neonatal Surgical Unit Number: 0151 252 5378
Visiting
Parent/Carers and visitors can gain access to the Unit by using the intercom system at the entrance to Ward 1C on the left-hand side of the wall as you approach the double entrance doors. These doors will open towards you.
Parent/Carers are welcome to visit their baby at any time.
Brothers and sisters under 16 years old must be accompanied by a Parent/Carer at all times. Family, friends, and other visitors are welcome between 10.00am and 7.30pm. A maximum of four visitors is permitted at the bedside at any one time (not including brothers and sisters). Visitors may be asked to leave during procedures and handover times.
To minimise the risk of infection, please wash your hands or use alcohol gel when you enter or leave the ward, before and after contact with your baby. Any Parent/Carers, brothers and sisters and other visitors who feel unwell must inform the Nurse in Charge before visiting, who will advise whether it is appropriate to visit.
Identity Bracelet
We will give your child two hospital identity bracelets with their name on. These are for their safety and are scanned when your child receives any medication, so please ensure they always wear them. If they have an allergy, they will be given a ‘Red’ allergy wristband.
What will I need to bring to the Unit?
Please bring a supply of nappies, baby-grows (preferably front fastening) mittens, socks, thin blankets and toiletries. For yourself, tea bags, coffee and a cup with a lid for your own use.
Staff on the Unit
Our surgical consultants specialise in the full range of neonatal surgery. The Neonatologist and Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners together with a team of highly skilled neonatal nurses will be managing and monitoring your baby’s progress while on the unit. Your baby may need to be under the care of more than one consultant if they have several medical/underlying conditions.
All staff should introduce themselves to you and wear name badges. Do not be afraid to ask staff who they are, ask questions and raise any concerns you may have.
Counsellor: Available for Parent/Carers. Please ask staff to put a referral through at any time.
Dietician: A dietician may be involved in discussions about the nutritional needs of your baby.
Social and Health Worker: Please ask staff for details.
Ward Rounds
Ward Rounds on the unit start each day from approximately 10.30am. They will include a neonatologist from Liverpool Women’s Hospital, a surgical consultant and a member of the nursing team and an Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP). Parent/Carers are encouraged to be present during Ward Rounds to discuss their baby’s progress and plan of care. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions.
If required, other teams of doctors, dieticians, specialist nurses, and physiotherapists will review your baby throughout the day. If at any time during your child’s stay on the ward you have any questions, concerns or issues relating to your child’s care/ treatment, please ask to speak with the nurse looking after your baby in the first instance, the nurse in charge/shift manager or the ward manager.
Midwife and Breastfeeding
The midwife visits the hospital twice a week on set days. Volunteers will come to the unit on those days and arrange an appointment for you to see the midwife.
The midwife will only see post-natal mums up until your baby is 28 days of age. Please do not take your baby to the clinic.
Appointments are held in Outpatients, Clinic 1.2 (above Costa). Please let the volunteer know if you need any assistance in getting to your appointment.
For any requirements outside clinic times please contact:
Urgent queries or concerns: Maternity Assessment Unit, Liverpool Women’s Hospital 0151 702 4413
Non-Urgent queries or concerns: Community Midwives’ Office, Liverpool Women’s Hospital 0151 702 4177
For mothers who choose to breastfeed, help is available from ward staff. If needed, further help can be obtained from the Breastfeeding Nurse Specialist. Staff will contact her at your request. Breastfeeding pumps are readily available on the ward. If not already in the cubicle, please ask a member of staff to locate one for you and provide support if you are not familiar with its use.
There are fridges and freezers in the ward feeding kitchen for storing breastmilk. Just hand your milk to the staff, and they will store it in the appropriate place. If you are a resident in the Ronald McDonald House, breast pumps cannot be taken off the ward, but there are two available in the House. For breastfeeding mothers, signs are available to place on the door of the cubicle while expressing or breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding mothers are eligible for vouchers for 3 meals a day in the Treetops Restaurant. Staff will sort this out for you.
Family Integrated Care – Neonatal Passport
Family Integrated Care is a model that supports and educates parents/carers on the Neonatal Unit to become fully involved in their baby’s care in partnership with the Neonatal Team. Evidence shows that babies cared for this way have fewer infections, are more likely to breastfeed, gain weight more quickly, have fewer complications, and go home sooner.
While your baby is receiving care on the Neonatal Unit, you will be able to do many of the day-to-day care tasks your baby needs.
The Neonatal Passport will be given to you on arrival to the ward and will make sure that both you and the neonatal unit staff know what you are able to do for your baby. This will be particularly helpful if your baby is transferred to another hospital.
The importance of your presence and involvement in the Neonatal Unit cannot be overestimated. The Neonatal Team are here to offer you support and guidance throughout your baby’s journey on the neonatal unit.
Please ensure the passport is kept with your baby during the neonatal stay.
How to Register a Birth
Every birth must be registered within six weeks of a baby being born. The birth must be registered at the register office of the district where the birth has taken place. For births in Liverpool, you can register at Liverpool Women’s Hospital: 0151 708 9988 or Liverpool Register Office: 0151 233 3004. Please ask staff for further information.