The neonatal unit (ward L43) cares for babies who need extra help after they are born.
This includes babies born with heart disease, and we asked Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Jenny Naylor to describe how CHSF work with NHS staff to support patient’s families while they are being treated on Neonates.
What support is available for parents and families while their baby is in the Neonatal department?
The cardiac liaison nurses will introduce themselves before your baby is born during a clinic appointment, these are nurses that specialise in cardiac care. We have a psychologist who visits the ward and available to talk to parents and support them.
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund’s Family Support Team will offer support once your baby is born, such as helping with financial grants, toiletries, signposting to local support services and possible accommodation support at their rooms in Brotherton Wing.
We provide a kitchen with tea/coffee/biscuits for parents and a charity food pantry. Mums are entitled to breakfast from the ward kitchen, with lunch/dinner provided by the hospital.
Eckersley House is charitable accommodation provided by the Sick Children’s Trust, and supported by CHSF – it’s on the hospital grounds, but not within the hospital. If you require accommodation please discuss with the nursing team.
We have 2 neonatal bedrooms, one on the unit and one on the corridor nearby – these are for short term use and allocated to priority patients.
Can parents visit and spend time with their baby on the ward?
Parents are welcome to visit their baby 24/7. We recognise the difficulties of being separated from your baby and you can visit any time, day or night – but we will try and encourage you to look after yourselves and get some rest too.
We encourage and support parents to be involved as possible in their babies care, and support you in learning how to take their temperatures, changing nappies and nasogastric feeds if required. Our family integrated care team offer sessions that support you in caring for your baby.
What are some of the common emotions parents go through – and how does the team look after their wellbeing?
Having a baby born with a cardiac condition can be a worrying and stressful experience. We are all here to support you throughout your admission and help as much as we, whether that be a chat with a nurse or a consultant/doctor/advanced nurse practitioner or talking to one of the hospital counsellors/psychologists.
You may find it useful to talk to other parents on the neonatal unit, and CHSF can provide support with stresses such as financial help and travel costs.
Sarah Cherry, Head of Family Support at CHSF said: “CHSF’s Family Support team closely working with the hospital’s neonatal department is absolutely vital. It ensures that families of poorly babies receive the wellbeing, financial and practical support they need from the very beginning. By being there alongside clinical teams, we can help parents feel less alone and better equipped to cope during the most difficult time of their lives.”
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