Neonatology

We give extra medical, surgical and nursing care to premature and sick newborn babies. We have special care, high dependency and intensive care neonatal units.

We also take part in many local and national research projects. These help us to drive improvements and make sure we are providing the best and most up-to-date care.

How we help

Our units have specialist facilities, equipment and skilled staff to give the best care to premature and sick newborn babies.

It can be a very anxious time for you when your baby is in the neonatal unit. We will support you during your baby’s stay with us and help to prepare you for taking them home. We will involve you in your baby’s daily care and feeding and help you to get to know each other.

We will also advise you how to access support at the end of your baby’s stay with us.

We have our own neonatal transport ambulance for babies who need a higher level of specialist care. They can be moved safely from the hospital they were born to other units in within Kent, Surrey, Sussex and beyond.

Where we are

Visitors

We do not consider parents as visitors. Parents are an integral part in their baby’s care and within the neonatal team.

We welcome parents to be with their baby whenever they wish, day or night. The baby’s siblings are welcome to visit, but in the interests of infection control no other children under the age of 16 years are allowed to visit the unit. 

If you’d like to bring visitors please check your unit’s individual visiting policy.

Please note:

• Between 3pm and 5pm, a period of rest, referred to as ‘Quiet time’ is maintained on the Unit. Invasive procedures are avoided during this time to ensure growth and development for your baby.  During this period, only parents or a parent and a nominated support person may visit
• Visiting on our neonatal units is for no more than two visitors (non-parent) usually between the hours of 1pm to 3pm and again 5pm to 7pm. Please ask your nurse for the up-to-date visiting policy at the time of admission 
• We ask that parent/s are at the cot side with their visitor and do not leave them alone in the nursery.
• We’re unable to have visitors under the age of 16 years old on the ward unless they’re the parent or carer or sibling of the patient.
• We ask everyone in the nursery to follow our infection control guidelines. 

Meet the team

Our consultants are specialist doctors who manage the overall treatment of each baby. They are supported by a team of Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (ANNPs) and doctors. Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners are nurses who have had specialist training in neonatology.

Helpful resources

• Record the steps in your neonatal journey and learn about care on the IFDC App
• Premature labour and birth (NHS)

Service performance