Neonatal Unit Opens

Monday, 15 August 2022 12:48

The new unit is larger with added rooms for family, consultation and breastfeeding.

The new and renamed ward opened its doors for the first time today (15 August) in the hospital.

It's part of a refurbishment of the entire maternity unit which started in August 2021.

The 'Jersey Neonatal Unit' replaces the old 'Special Care Baby Unit' to show that it cares for premature babies as well as those needing intensive or high dependency care.

Despite the unit being bigger, no extra cots have been added to the eight that are already there.

The extra space means that more staff and equipment can be brought in as well as extra infection control measures like an isolation room for suspected coronavirus cases.

Health Minister Deputy Karen Wilson (far right) has visited the refurbished neonatal unit

There is a new waiting room, which will double as a consultation room so clinicians can talk to parents privately.

Ward Manager Anne Patterson believes, despite how long it has taken, its been worth the wait.

"We can’t wait to see what mums and dads think about the unit. One of the best things is the extra space around the cots which will give parents more privacy when they have that special time with their baby.

Everything looks much brighter and more modern. There is lots of glass which gives staff a great visual of the whole unit. We are really excited about the name change because staff feel that it is more representative of the work that we do."

The redevelopment of the hospital has been split in to 11 different stages so that disruption to patients is 'kept to a minimum' and it is due to be completed in October 2023.