The new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is four times the size of the previous one, has been designed to be a home-from-home for babies and their families, and – it is hoped – will help to set a standard for neonatal units across the UK.
Funded by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, the neonatal unit will provide an additional 21 cots at QMC, taking the total to 38, with the site’s overall footprint of increasing from 500 m² to 2000 m²
Key features include larger cot bays, providing more space for families when visiting and staying with their babies; glass screening between bays to provide acoustic barriers and privacy; several retractable glass dividers for families with twins and triplets; family accommodation with kitchen and lounge areas for those staying overnight, and two play areas so siblings have their own space to play.
In a first for a NUH neonatal unit, a dedicated bereavement suite has been introduced.
Staff facilities on the unit include a specialised treatment room, Mindray monitors to record vital signs, and pendants to keep medical equipment up off the floor.
NUH’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony May, said: “The redesign and expansion of our neonatal services has been almost 20 years in the planning. It was only made possible with the funding we received in 2022 from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, which provided us with a rare and exciting opportunity to design a neonatal unit that not only meets the needs of our families, but also provides our highly skilled neonatal staff with a working environment they deserve. The unit will make a huge difference to the 800 premature babies we support here at NUH every year, and is already attracting interest from national neonatal teams. Thanks to the many people who have played a part in its design and creation, we have a facility we can justifiably be proud of.”
“The limited size of the old QMC unit meant that over 100 babies requiring specialist care had to be transferred out of the area each year. By increasing the capacity at the QMC, we can ensure that the smallest and sickest newborn babies from the whole of the East Midlands are cared for in the best location and with the right resources”.
Programme Director, Jenni Twinn, who has led the delivery of the neonatal unit, said:
“Everything has been carefully thought out – from the soothing colours and furniture used to provide a comforting feel, to installing the latest technology that will enhance the experience of both families and staff. It is this attention to detail that sets this unit apart and which will really make a difference to all those involved. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of so many people who have committed to making this beautiful unit a reality.”
To ensure the cot numbers are increased in the safest way possible, the NICU will not be expanding the number of cots in use until the new year.
As a result of the new facility, the QMC will become NUH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the neonatal unit at City Hospital will become a Local Neonatal Unit – where babies can continue to receive intensive care for up to 48 hours, before being transferred to the QMC for longer-term care if needed.
Nottingham Hospitals Charity has provided over £322,000 in fundraising support as part of its Big Appeal to support some of the enhancements included on the neonatal unit – including the frosted glass partition screens for the bays, the children’s play areas, and televisions for the family rooms.
Nigel Gregory, the Charity’s CEO, said: “Thanks to all those who have generously donated to our Big Appeal, we are delighted to have been able to fund some of the special touches, home comforts, and additional equipment that will help make this new neonatal unit a home-from-home for babies and families.
“With poorly babies and their families at the forefront of our minds, we have funded added extras such as glazed screens between bays – to allow families to have space and privacy with their babies, welcoming wall art in the entrance – to help visitors feel at home when entering the unit, and comfortable furniture and play equipment for siblings visiting their baby brothers and sisters. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to make this possible.”