About our service:
Special Care Baby Unit
We provide level 1 special care for premature and sick babies > 32-week gestation. We aim to transfer < 32/40 gestation mothers ante-natally to a level 3 intensive care unit.
The service is provided by a multidisciplinary team including Paediatric medical staff, Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, Neonatal Nurses, Midwives and Registered Nurses. We also have input from allied health professionals.
We have a six bedded nursery, an isolation room and a high dependency / stabilisation room with 2 cots.
We provide individualised family centred care through a quiet and relaxed environment.
Family Room
We have a dedicated room within SCBU for parents/families which is comfortable and relaxing. If your baby is stable enough, they can be brought to the family room to spend time with you and your loved ones who are visiting. The room has some toys for little ones to enjoy and comfortable seating and a television. There is also a kettle, microwave and small fridge for you to use.
SCBU little library
We have a small selection of appropriate books that you can read to your baby whilst they are in SCBU. We know their hearing begins around 24 weeks’ gestation and reading to them will help your baby’s brain and language development in the future. This can also promote bonding.
Being with your baby
Parents and siblings are encouraged and supported to be with their baby as much as they feel able, access to the unit is unlimited. For other family memebers and friends we have more structured visiting, this is always open for discussion. Details on visiting will be given to parents.
We work closely with the midwives on the post natal ward when babies are improving and begin on the transitional care pathway to discharge home.
Transitional Care
We provide nursing transitional care for babies on ward 16 meaning they can stay with mum. Babies that will receive transitional care are
Late preterm Babies 35-36+6 weeks
Maternal Diabetes
IUGR babies
Maternal use of Beta blockers
These babies require extra support, requiring blood sugar monitoring, more frequent observations and support to ensure adequate feeding.
Some babies will be under Medical transitional care - babies who are rooming in preparing for home, having IV antibiotics, readmission from home, needing phototherapy, babies who have a low cord pH and NAS babies.
We manage and provide stabilisation and short term care for a baby of any gestation requiring intensive care pending transfer to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit undertaken by the dedicated neonatal transport team.
Repatriation
When babies are born in Regional Neonatal units due to their prematurity or requirement for a higher level of care we are keen for these babies to be repatriated to the borders as soon as it is safe for them to be transferred. Bringing them closer to home.
