Cashpoint machine
Situated in Leases wing reception, which is on level 3 (ground level) and in Amigos shop New Victoria Wing.
Refreshments for parents on the neonatal unit:
We can offer free refreshments to all parents on the neonatal unit whilst they visit their baby.
This includes the following:
In addition parents can also purchase hot food form Costa Coffee level 3 leases entrance to RVI or in the New Victoria Wing level 4 parents can find Costa Coffee, Subway and a shop selling numerous light snacks and bites ( these are open 24/7 )
There is also a WRVS shop open Monday to Friday from midday until 4pm selling sandwiches, light bites, tea and coffee on level 4 in the ante-natal clinic
Other Facilities:
Facilities outside the RVI:
Cosmopolitan city with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants. These are within a 15 minute walk from the RVI and have a variety of opening times. Most facilities are also open on a Sunday.
SCBU Dads Team
The SCBU Dads Team is the 1st of its kind in the UK, a support group specifically for Dads, who either have babies currently in the SCBU, or who have had babies previously in the Unit. The team aims to bring these two groups of dads together, meeting informally, at the hospital once a month. The dads get an opportunity to chat about their shared experiences of having a baby on the ward. It’s a completely relaxed setting, and there’s absolutely no expectation or requirements from the dads. It’s just a safe space to talk about the dad’s experience of having a baby in special care. By talking in confidence with other dads, they will get valuable insight, encouragement and support from people who’ve been in your shoes. Further information about the team, is available on posters throughout Ward 35 at the RVI, or can be obtained by asking the nurse caring for your baby, or any member of the neonatal team. Hope that as a dad of a baby on our unit you will be able come along.
Please do not hesitate to contact: Matthew.Cray@nuth.nhs.uk
We are supported by Tiny Lives charity to offer free parking for parents. You will initially need to park up and pay as parking eye operates within the RVI grounds. Once you are on the unit you can discuss parking requirements with the nurse caring for your baby. They will give you a permit to enable you to park in the multi-storey car park.
For information on all public transport in Tyne & Wear visit: www.nexus.org.uk
Bus: Both HAYMARKET bus station and ELDON SQUARE bus station are a short distance from the RVI
Metro: HAYMARKET Metro station and ST JAMES Metro station are nearest metro links
Train: Newcastle Central Station
Parents
Open access so parents can visit any time.
Siblings
Open access with parents.
Grandparents
Any time but must be accompanied by a parent.
Family and Friends
Any time but must be accompanied by a parent.
Number of visitors
3 only at cot side at any given time, this must include a parent.
Restrictions
No children under 16 years unless siblings, no visitor will be allowed to visit baby unless accompanied by a parent.The unit can be very busy and there may be times when you are asked to leave the bays for procedures, x-rays etc. Occasionally restrictions may be in place, please check with staff. For confidentiality we would also ask parents to leave during nursing handovers 0730-0800 and 2000-2030 Any information via telephone will only be given to parents.
Hygiene and infection prevention
To minimize the risk of infection ALL VISITORS to gel hands on entering and leaving the unit and wash hands on entering the bays. We operate a ‘bare below elbow’ policy, therefore jewellery (with exception of plain wedding bands) and watches must be removed before entering the bays.
Outdoor coats to be removed before entering the bays – coat pegs available in each area.
If you are unwell please seek advice before visiting the unit
Parent Accommodation/Facilities
There are 3 parents flats available on the unit, these can be used subject to availability, but may have to be prioritised for use. All flats have en-suite facilities and hot meals can be provided for mothers resident in the flats. Please see nurse in charge for further details.
Also within the grounds of the RVI is Crawford House, parental accommodation that is funded by The Sick Children’s Trust. This accommodation has 23 family bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and dining area. There are also laundry facilities, play area for children and lounge area, further information can be found at www.sickchildrenstrust.org where you can also download a leaflet specific to Crawford House and all it has to offer.
Rooms at Crawford House must be booked via the ward staff and is subject to availability.
The unit also offers a parental area with TV where tea, coffee and a selection of hot drinks are available. There is also a small children’s play area within this room (children must be supervised). Parents can also access snacks such as sandwiches, crisps, yoghurts and fruit free of charge whilst on the unit.
Mobile phone use
Mobile phones are only permitted for use on the unit whilst in flight mode for the use of cameras. No videos to be used, there are areas within the hospital such as reception & lobbies, cafes etc. where mobile phones are permitted. Payphones are available in the main reception of the hospital. There are currently no parent facilities for using computers
Breastfeeding facilities and support on the Neonatal Unit:
The RVI Neonatal Unit has UNICEF Baby-Friendly Stage 1 Accreditation. This means that policies, guidelines and staff training curriculums are in place to promote optimal support and care. There are 2 expressing rooms where mothers can express breast milk or this can be done at the cot side with the privacy of screens where Mothers can be close to their baby. HELEN SMITH is the infant feed lead nurse who can offer you support and advice. All staff on the unit are fully trained in supporting breast feeding and expressing.
Facilities for siblings
There is a small play area within the parent’s waiting room where children must be supervised. We also have a selection of colouring pictures and pencils for children which can be used within the bays.
Bereavement support
We have a quiet room on the unit that can be used by parents if they wish to have some quiet time as well as a quiet room at Leazes reception. Bereavement officers are also available to speak to and support you through a difficult time. The chaplaincy service is available 24 hour a day and can be contacted on request.
Counselling
Parents can talk to medical/nursing staff at any time, but we also have the option for parents to speak to our psychologist Bridie Grant, who will often talk to parents through this difficult time. Ask staff for further details.Barbara Hanson can also be contacted for counselling support.
Parent support group
The Buddy Group – this runs once a month where parents, both previous patients and present can meet for support, advice or a social get together. Sessions often have guest speakers where families can ‘meet the professionals’ and are very informal with tea & coffee provided.
Dads' Team
The Dads’ team runs once a month. There is a friendly welcoming atmosphere to support Dads’ during this difficult and emotional time. Tea and coffee are provided. It runs on a Saturday evening. Professionals are present for support and advice.
Tiny Lives RVI Charity
Tiny Lives understands that being told not all may be well with your baby is an incredibly traumatic experience and our team of Buddy Volunteers are here to help, proving Peer Support.
Peer support and sharing common experiences has been proven to increase wellbeing. Peer support is recognised and advised to aid recovery in the NICE guidelines. Some of the benefits found through NICE’s research:
Visit our website for more information http://www.tinylives.org.uk/support-and-information/buddy-group/
The Discharge Clinic- this runs twice a month where parents are invited to come along and discuss issues in preparation for going home. The session is run as a workshop and parents rotate individually around the group where topics such as feeding, safe sleeping and developmental care are discussed which can be tailored to each family to allay any worries or anxieties they may face before going home. The session is very informal with tea, coffee and biscuits and extended family members such as Grandparents can also attend if the family wishes.
Please ask a member of staff for further details.
Consultant(s) on the unit
Dr Alan Fenton - Dr Martin Ward – Platt, Dr Nick Embleton, Dr Janet Berrington, Dr Sundeep Harigopal, Dr Richard Hearn, Head of Department - Dr Sri Ramaiah, Dr Naveen Athiraman
Nursing and other leads
Mrs Yvonne Collingwood - Ward Matron
Helen Smith – Infant feed co-ordinator
Maria Douglas – Developmental care/family centred care lead (red area)
Karen Matthison – Developmental care/family centred care lead (blue area)
Pat Dulston – Physiotherapist
Catherine Ashcroft – Speech and Language therapist
Fiona Ewing – Social Worker
How to access the Unit
Situated in Leazes Wing, Level 4 within the maternity department
All entrances to maternity services are locked with security doors, the staff at maternity reception can open the doors for access to the neonatal unit.
Once you enter the unit it separates into two areas; Intensive care (Red Area) and High/Low dependency (Blue/Green Area). All unit facilities such as waiting area, breast feeding rooms etc are situated within the unit and are for use of all parents within the unit.
The nurse caring for your baby on each shift will introduce themselves.
Who to talk to if you have any concerns
The nurse caring for your baby that day will be available to talk to about your baby’s care or if you prefer you can discuss any issues with the nurse in charge. Appointments can be made to meet with the Matron if required.
Talking to the medical team
Consultants rotate around the unit on a weekly basis and are available to talk to when they are covering the area your baby is on. Parents are also invited to attend the morning ward rounds and encouraged to share thoughts and opinions when discussing the care of their baby. Ward rounds include medical and nursing staff and often include others such as physiotherapist, pharmacist and speech/ language therapist. Ward rounds commence at approximately 9.30