The neonatal unit provides emergency care for sick newborn babies. Babies born at less than 34 weeks and those likely to need intensive or high dependency care are brought to St Helier Hospital which offers level two care.
Critically ill babies are transferred to Epsom Hospital to be stabilised (level one care). The neonatal unit at St Helier Hospital can also care for the most preterm babies in need of the most acute care (Level 3 care).
St Helier Hospital's neonatal unit is part of Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, which has been dedicated to childcare for 100 years. It is also part of the southwest London Neonatal Network including St George's Hospital (Tooting), Kingston Hospital, and May Day Hospital (Croydon), sharing expertise and resources to provide the best possible care.
The neonatal unit at St Helier Hospital handles a range of premature births from as early as 26 weeks or low birth weights from 500g. Earlier and lighter deliveries are transferred to St George's Hospital in Tooting as part of a network policy to ensure the best treatment for your baby.
St Helier Hospital's neonatal unit offers the following services 24 hours a day:
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Artificial ventilation: to support breathing in the event of under-developed lungs or inadequate effort
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Cardiac services: Facilities for cardiac assessment include cardiac monitoring and Echocardiogram, with support from visiting doctors from the Royal Brompton Hospital
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Neurology services: facilities for advanced investigations and monitoring of brain function including neonatal EEG, brain ultrasound and Cerebral Function Monitoring (endorsed by excellent links with the Hammersmith Hospital team)
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Neonatal surgery: in the rare event of surgical intervention, there are close links with paediatric surgical services at St George's Hospital. Babies are stabilised at St Helier Hospital prior to transfer to the specialist surgical unit
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Nutrition: nutritional support of pre-term and low birth-weight babies. This includes enteral (via mouth) and total parental nutrition (not by mouth) with specialist (dietician and pharmacy) support
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Metabolism: St Helier Hospital is the regional centre for national newborn screening program. We have facilities to investigate and manage complex conditions that may be identified through the program in the new born period
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Haematology: excellent laboratory and blood bank facilities to support the needs of newborns in intensive care
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Specialist paediatric orthopaedic consultants: are available to manage muscular/skeletal problems with early support from physiotherapists and occupational therapists
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Renal service: local expertise within the team and close links with the Evelina Children's Hospital for those babies with underlying kidney disorders
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Paediatric radiology: local expertise in a well functioning department providing specialist imaging for children
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Pharmacy: there is a dedicated children's pharmacist who oversees drug prescribing and administration of total parenteral nutrition
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Community paediatricians: who provide a seamless service of care for newborns once discharged from the hospital, especially those with complex needs
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Homecare team of specialist nurses: to support families following discharged.
The unit holds eight cots and babies are cared for by a minimum of two nurses per shift.
A counselling service is available to parents and families of sick babies. A parent’s support group and the Trust’s chaplins are also available to offer emotional support.
The unit offers overnight accommodation for the parent’s of particularly sick children.
A playroom, kitchen facilities and a television make the ward a comfortable place for families to be.
The close-knit team of staff work closely with families to help them through what can often be a distressing time.
A vast amount of specially made equipment is frequently in use in the neonatal department, and new, up-to-date equipment is often introduced to the ward.
The care of the neonatologist continues through childhood if necessary - it doesn't stop once they're no longer babies!
