Special Care Nursery

Special Care Nursery (SCN) cares for sick babies or babies that require extra support. We care for babies that are born after the 32nd week of gestation and may also care for sick babies who are born on their due date. Babies who are born very preterm (less than 32 weeks) or require more complex care are transferred to a larger neonatal centre. If your baby requires care at another neonatal centre, there is regular communication with you prior to transfer. After treatment, your baby will be transferred back to Redcliffe Hospital Special Care Nursery for ongoing care and to prepare for going home.

We understand having your baby admitted into the Special Care Nursery may be stressful and unexpected. We are here to offer your family and baby specialised care and ongoing support. Your baby’s condition is discussed with you every day and plans for their ongoing care. If you have any questions about the care of your baby, don’t hesitate to ask.

The team caring for your baby is made up of paediatricians, paediatric training doctors, a nurse practitioner, nurses, a physiotherapist and a social worker. The Special Care Nursery also has access to other healthcare professionals if required.

Our services

The Special Care Nursery has 10 cots an 2 different ares, these are:

• Acute area – for sick babies who generally require a high level of supervision and monitoring. Babies who need support with their breathing will also be cared for in this area.
• Growing area – for stable growing premature babies and recovering sick term babies. In this area, we help babies learn to feed and prepare them to go home.

We have facilities to provide:

• incubator care/cot care
• cardiorespiratory monitoring/apnoea monitoring
• IV fluid therapy, tube feeds, phototherapy
• continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is a form of breathing support
• short-term assisted ventilator care, if your baby is very premature or is having a lot of trouble breathing, pending transfer to a larger neonatal service.

Visiting your baby

Families  are welcome to be with their baby and are encouraged to come to the nursery at any time. Visitors are welcome between 11.00am-1.30pm and 3.30pm-8.00pm daily. All visitors must be in good health with no coughs, colds or infections. Only 2 visitors are allowed into the nursery and one parent must be present. Siblings of the baby can visit, but must be under parental supervision at all times.  No other children are allowed in the Special Care Nursery.

Hand washing

Premature and sick babies have low immunity, so to protect them everyone must wash their hands when entering the Special Care Nursery. Although gel is available at the nursery door, your hands must be washed with soap and water once you enter the nursery. Protect your baby against germs and infection by washing your hands regularly.

Length of stay

Each baby is different and will be assessed by the doctors, nurses and midwives caring for them. If your baby is premature, you can usually expect to have them home by the time they reach your original due date—if not a little bit earlier. Unfortunately, not all babies progress at the same rate, so each baby in the nursery will have an individualised plan devised with you and your family.