Neonatal Unit (Special Care Baby Unit)

The Neonatal Unit is a well-equipped Level 1 and 2 service with 16 cots. This means that it can admit high dependency and special care babies over 28 weeks gestation. Babies born at less than 28 weeks gestation will be transferred to a Level 3 (intensive care) unit coordinated by the Dedicated Retrieval Team from Royal London Hospital at Whitechapel. Neonatal surgery cases will also be transferred to one of the hospitals within the South East London Neonatal Network.

The length of stay can be anything from a few days to 4 to 6 weeks for premature babies. Parents, siblings and other family members are welcome to stay at any time of the day or night. Parents are encouraged to participate in the care of their baby and to hold them as much as is possible. Mothers are supported in feeding their babies with specialist nurses on hand to provide help with both breast and bottle feeding, and there is a dedicated room for mothers to express milk.

Parents have their own sitting room with tea and coffee making facilities and there are two bedrooms available to use when their baby is ready for discharge from the unit.

Babies who have continuing healthcare needs after they are discharged will be referred to the Children's Community Nursing team and Health Visitors and Community Midwives are kept informed.

Availability

Open 24 Hours

Booking

Babies will be sent here from the maternity unit and/or by paediatricians.

Contact

Neonatal Unit Reception: 020 8836 4530/4394

Location

Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich

Neonatal Unit is on the second floor above the Main Entrance.