Plymouth — South West Neonatal Network

Derriford Hospital, Plymouth

Plymouth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has 22 cots and cares for babies of all gestations

University Hospitals Plymouth, Derriford Hospital

Level 5, Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road,

Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Content not to be used without permission of the SW Neonatal ODN, please contact: swneonatalnetwork@uhbw.nhs.uk

It is best to enter the unit via the maternity entrance on Level 5, secured access so via the doorbell. Are now able to obtain a card - £10 deposit, to gain access into the unit to limit waiting times.
The nurse looking after the infant primarily but all members of clinical staff are approachable directing parents appropriately.
The nurse looking after the infant, the ward manager, matron or PALS.
Most ward rounds start at 09:30 Monday to Friday, ward rounds are then repeated at 16:30 (handover to night time consultant) and 21:00 hours. Weekends usually around 08:30 and 21:00 hours.
A 4 bedroom parent flat is available on the unit and additional parent accommodation is in within walking distance of the hospital.
On the Neonatal Unit there is a sitting room with a children’s play area and kitchen facilities with microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge. Tea and Coffee is provided.
There is a water cooler located outside the high dependency nursery.
Medela breast pumps can be used either next to the infant’s bedside, bedrooms or in the breast feeding room. Breast feeding peer support workers visit the unit three times a week and support is offered from the nurses themselves.
Colouring packs and some activities are available for siblings in the play area.

Parent may visit 24/7 – we currently ask them to avoid handovers 0745 to 0800 and 1945 to 2000 to maintain patient confidentiality. They are also asked to leave during ward rounds unless we are discussing their infant.
Visitors of your choice are welcome to visit between 2 and 7pm each day.
We ask you to limit the number of people at the cot side to 2 people for short periods of time only.
Please explain to your family and friends that they may only visit with you and that we are unable to give them any information about your baby’s condition. Information is only given to parents.
Parents, before you touch your baby you must:
• Remove your watch, bracelets and all rings except wedding ring
• Roll up your sleeves
• Wash your hands and forearms thoroughly with soap and water
• Rinse and Dry
• Leave your sleeves rolled up until you leave the nursery.
• Rub in some alcohol gel before touching your baby.
Please make sure all your visitors do the same.
Brothers and sisters of babies are very welcome to visit and should be encouraged to gently touch their new baby. However, we ask you not to bring your children in to the nursery if they have a cough, cold, tummy upset or other infections due to the risk of passing it on to babies in the nursery.

Interpreting Service