The Transitional Care Unit is situated between Maple and Rowan Ward within the maternity hospital. It is staffed by neonatal nurses and neonatal doctors.

Your baby maybe admitted to the Transitional Care Unit after spending some time on the neonatal unit or maybe admitted with you from the delivery suite. There are several reasons why your baby may be admitted to the Transitional Care Unit for example:

• babies born 5 – 7 weeks early
• your baby may be small
• your baby may need help to keep warm or with feeding
• your baby may need photo-therapy (light treatment) for jaundice
• your baby may need treatment with antibiotics

Each baby will be assessed by the neonatal team for admission to the Transitional Care Unit.

Your baby will stay with you and be cared for by you with support from the Transitional Care team and a midwife will provide your maternity care. You will be fully involved in the planning and care of your baby, including help with feeding and how to care for your baby. This will be discussed with you at the time of admission. Your baby will be reviewed daily by a neonatal consultant.

Most babies will remain an inpatient on the Transitional Care Unit between 5 – 14 days. However because the length of stay depends on your baby’s progress, this stay may be shorter or longer.

Things you will need for your baby on the Transitional Care Unit

• Cot sheets
• Blankets
• Nappies
• Cotton Wool
• Baby clothes

The Transitional Care Unit have a stock of premature baby clothes, blankets and sheets that are washed on the premises which you can use if you prefer.

Your birth partner may visit you either between 9am to 1pm, or 3pm to 7pm.

Hands must be washed on arrival in the room and gel before and after touching the baby. We advise that you do not change your baby on the bed and request that all visitors use the chairs provided and not sit on the beds. Please ensure your visitors maintain strict hand washing / use of gel when visiting. If visitors are unwell please ask them not to visit the Transitional Care Unit as the babies are small and vulnerable.

Hospital meals are for inpatients only; there is a small kitchen area on the Transitional Care Unit for you and your birth companion to make hot drinks, a fridge to store food and drinks and a microwave to warm up food. There are also food and drink catering facilities available within the hospital. There are several 24 hour vending machines and hot drinks machines. The opening times for onsite food and drink catering facilities are:

• Orchard Café – Ground floor Women and Children’s Hospital – Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
• Kingston Restaurant – 2^nd floor Tower Block – 7 days a week 7.30am – 4.00pm
• Fountains Café –Ground Floor Eye Hospital – Monday – Friday 10.00am -4.00pm
• Ground Floor Pod – Ground Floor Tower Block – 7 days a week -7.30am – 7.30pm

Meal times on the ward are protected, no visitors or birth companions will be allowed admission or be able to leave the ward between 11.45 am and 12.15pm and 4.45pm – 5.15pm while the hot food and drink trolleys are out on the ward.

Alcohol is not permitted on Transitional Care Unit and smoking is not permitted within the hospital buildings or grounds of the hospital.

All babies wear 2 identity bands on their ankles and will include your baby’s name, date of birth and hospital number. If the identify bands fall off, please ask a member of staff to replace them immediately. Rowan and Maple ward (access to the Transitional Care Unit) is locked at all times and access is gained only by an intercom system, please do not allow anyone to follow you onto the ward.

Before going home your baby will need to be:

• Feeding well
• Gaining weight
• Maintaining their temperature in the cot

Your baby will have a hearing test and be examined by the doctors before discharge as part of the national screening programme.

You will need to register your baby’s birth and register baby with your doctor.  Please inform nursing staff if you have changed your address and / or doctor’s details

The Transitional Care Team will advise, support and discuss the relevant following topics with you

• Skin to skin
• Bathing and Top to Toe wash
• Expressing and Breastfeeding
• Bottle feeding (making feeds, cleaning of equipment)
• Safe sleeping
• Basic resuscitation
• Giving medication
• Coping with crying
• Home Nasogastric Tube feeding

Your baby may be followed up at home by our Neonatal Continuing Care Team who will monitor your baby’s weight, feeds and progress.  Alternatively, care maybe provided by a community midwife.  You will be advised which team will visit you prior to discharge.

If your baby requires a follow up appointment after discharged from hospital it will be sent out to you by post.