Cashpoint machine
Available in Chester Road reception and Kayll Road main reception
Catering/refreshment facilities (in the hospital)
Parents can you the canteen Monday to Friday pre packed food for weekends. There is a WRVS coffee shop at main reception open all week and another coffee shop at outpatients open Monday to Friday.
Other shops on site/nearby
There are several different shops on Chester road directly outside of the hospital. There is also the Chesters pub.
Laundry facilities
We do not have laundry facilities available on site however there is a launderette available on Hylton road.
Religious and spiritual support
Hospital chapel and Chaplin on call 24hrs.
Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS)
Open Monday to Friday 08.00 – 17.00 tel:- 0191 5699855
Interpreting services
Available on request
Access to a midwife
Yes when needed
Map on hospital web page
Nearest car park
Car parking is available directly outside of the maternity unit. Car park can be accessed via Chester Rd entrance
Car parking charges
£2 for one hour, £3 for two hours, £4.50 for 4hrs, £8.00 for 24hrs. A weekly ticket can be purchased for £10.00 at the ticket machine
Nearest bus stop
Directly outside the hospital gates
Nearest railway station
City centre approx half a mile away. Also metro station
Visiting policies
We have an open access policy for our families. This is restricted to 3 visitors at one time of which one must be a parent.
Parents
Open visiting
Siblings
Open visiting
Grandparents
Open visiting with a parent
Family and Friends
Must come with a parent
Number of visitors
3 max and one must be a parent
Restrictions
No children under 14 years of age other than siblings.
Hygiene and infection prevention
Out door coats to be stored in waiting area and lockers are available (£1 coin needed but returned when key put back in)
Parent accommodation
Woodford Williams lodge is available to parents out of the area where we can offer some limited overnight facilities. We do have 2 rooms on the unit that can be used if baby is very ill and we do use them for mothers to room in prior to discharge.
Parent facilities
Waiting room with kitchen facilities where parents can make tea and coffee.
Mobile phone use
Mobile phones not to be used in the clinical area. Parents may use mobile phones to take photographs of their own baby. All mobiles to remain on flight mode and should not to be connected to WiFi whilst in the clinical area.
WiFi access available in parental waiting area
Pay phone in waiting area no access to computer.
Telephone and computer access
Pay phone in waiting area no access to computer.
Breastfeeding facilities and support
Breast feeding nurse on the unit a room for mothers to express electric pumps on the unit and also electric pumps available to loan. There is breast feeding co- ordinator support midwife on maternity and breast feeding buddies who work both in the hospital and in the community.
Facilities for siblings
Limited on the unit and must be supervised there is also a play area on the paediatric unit they can use.
Bereavement support
Chaplin service is available. We are able to put families into touch with bereavement support groups.
Counselling
Early involvement with community services
Parent support group
We have a “Buddy” group which meets approx every 6 weeks for previous preterm babies and parents to meet up.
Consultant(s) on the unit
We have 5 consultants Dr Abu- Harb, Dr Gillespie, Dr Geethanath, Dr Gaffari, and Dr Ahmed
Unit manager
Kristina Simmons
Infant feeding coordinator
Breast feeding – Lesley Hemmings and Lisa Beuster
Family centred care lead
Carmel Forster
Developmental care lead
Tracey Gleghorn
Community nurse
We not have a designated neonatal team but paediatric community team support families who require additional support.
How to access the Unit
The unit is locked at all times and access is via an intercom system.
Who to talk to if you have any concerns
Named nurse for their baby but nurse in charge if they are not available. Kristina Simmons Ward manager is available Monday - Friday
Talking to the medical team
Medical team are available to speak to parents . Parents are encouraged to attend the ward rounds which take place at 08:30 and 21:00
Ward round
High dependency ward round twice daily at 08:30 and 21:00. Parents are encouraged to attend. Cool room ward round is nurse lead and therefore no designated time depending on work load normally am.
Baby rest time
Quiet time is between 13.00 and 15.00