The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is for very poorly newborn babies and infants who need the highest level of nursing and medical care. Most of the babies on this ward will need surgery for various problems.
Other babies come to NICU with breathing or feeding problems.
NICU has 10 cots in a large room.
Staff on the ward
NICU is led by a team of eight consultants (doctors).
Other staff who work on the ward include nurses, ventilator technicians, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, housekeepers, family liaison nurses, a play specialist, psychological support and interpreters.
The following members of staff will be available on NICU:
- Kim Gray, Lead Nurse
- Heather Waddington and Esther Rose, NICU Family Liaison Sisters
Conditions we treat
Some of the conditions and treatments on NICU include:
- Newborn babies needing surgery for necrotising enterocolitis, bowel obstruction, oesophageal atresia and other problems.
- Newborn babies with other serious problems such as laryngeal clefts and sacrococcygeal teratomas.
- Newborn babies needing extra corporeal life support (ECMO).
Facilities for children and young people
NICU has a play specialist who can organise activities and can help patients get ready for any procedures they may have in hospital.
Brothers and sisters can also use the Centre on the ground floor of the Southwood Building, which has an outdoor area and a dedicated room (the Den) for teenagers.
