About the nurseries

How long will my baby be in hospital?

Generally, we predict that your baby will go home about the time they were due to be born.  This can vary from baby to baby and some babies go before that date and some go after.  We will try to keep you as up to date as possible, but it really is up to your baby and how ready they are to feed without relying on the tube.

Information about Intensive Care Nursery (ICN)

Your baby may be admitted directly into ICN or transferred there from SCN.  There are 5 main rooms (rooms 1 – 5) and two side rooms (Isolation room 1 and 2) in ICN.  Generally, there will be one nurse caring for two babies though sometimes, one nurse might be caring for one baby.  The nursing and medical staff in ICN will explain the care that your baby is receiving and are available to answer any questions you may have.  Please feel free to call the room that your baby is in at any time.  The nurse caring for your baby will give you the phone number.  The nurse will also explain the ICN routine to you.

Information about Special Care Nursery (SCN)

If you are moving from ICN or admitted directly from the post-natal ward or birthing area, the team in SCN want to work with you as we prepare you and your baby for home.

If your baby is moving from ICN to SCN, we want to acknowledge that this is an exciting milestone for you and your baby but we understand that it can also be a bit scary. You will meet new nurses and doctors and be introduced to new routines.

• SCN has 8 rooms (rooms 6 to 13). Each room has space for up to 4 babies. Mostly, there will be one nurse allocated to each room however, sometimes we will allocate 2 nurses to one room. If your baby is on high flow oxygen therapy, they will go into a room with 2 nurses, who will care for 5 babies between them. The nurses in SCN will decide which room will be best for your baby.
• There are 3 other nurses per shift who help the nurses in the rooms and manage SCN for the day or night. You can ask any of these nurses for help. Monday to Friday the Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) is available, their role is to oversee the care of the babies and to ensure they are having the most up to date, research-based nursing care possible. You can ask to speak with the CNC if you would like further information, to talk about your baby’s care or if you want to raise any concerns.
• The nurses caring for your baby in SCN will encourage you to handle, change, bathe and cuddle your baby as much as you are able and as much as your baby can manage. Your nurse will help to guide you about what is the best activity for your baby each day and as your baby gets older and stronger, you will be able to do more and more.

What are the goals for SCN?

We are here to help you with the next step in getting your baby closer to home. We will work with you and your baby on:

Feeding and Growing

Depending on the age of your baby, we will help you move towards full suck feeds.

Cuddles and Care

Feeds, baths, cuddles and cares.

Parent Education and Resources

An important part of your stay will be the opportunity to complete your patient education checklist on ways to safely care for your baby in preparation for going home.

Leaving the Nursery

Taking your baby home.

Arriving at the GSNU

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