CUH Logo

Mobile menu open

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Rosie wards

Our NICU is designed and equipped to care for the sickest and most vulnerable babies and we are supported by a range of specialists, including paediatric surgeons and neurosurgeons.

Non-urgent advice: Visiting information

Visiting times for inpatient stays and restrictions on who may accompany you for outpatient appointments may be affected by current Covid-19 visiting restrictions.

We take infection control very seriously and would ask you to wash your hands on entering the neonatal unit and then again on entering your baby’s room.

About the ward

Video tour: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Link: https://vimeo.com/456933486

Video transcript: NICU video tour

00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:08,600

Welcome to the Neonatal

Intensive Care Unit.

00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:10,160

Or in short, NICU,

00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,080

in the Rosie hospital at Addenbrookes.

00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,720

Before you enter NICU

we ask you to wash your hands,

00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,160

reducing the risk of infection

for your baby is important,

00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,080

and you will need

to wash your hands again

00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,760

when entering the room

where your baby is being cared for,

00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,400

as well as regularly whilst on the unit.

00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,280

Access to our reception is

via an intercom.

00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,920

Parents and siblings

have 24 hour access to the unit.

00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,080

In the absence of your partner,

00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:46,120

you are able to have either

a family member or a friend

00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:47,800

as a support person.

00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,040

Please be aware

that on different occasions,

00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,240

visiting policy may change.

00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:57,840

Please leave your coats and jackets

and use the lockers provided.

00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:04,080

The delivery unit or DU is only steps

away from the neonatal unit.

00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:08,720

This is our transport incubator

which has all the equipment

00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:13,240

we need to be able to safely

transport your baby to NICU.

00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:17,840

Depending on your baby's needs,

a nurse and doctor may be present

00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:21,280

at your delivery

or arrive shortly afterwards.

00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,720

Your partner is welcome to

come with us to NICU

00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:27,720

to see where your baby

will be admitted to.

00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:30,720

After admission to NICU

00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:35,040

most babies are nursed in an

intensive care cot called an incubator.

00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:38,040

Everything you baby needs is right here.

00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,040

We have different machines

to support your baby's breathing,

00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:42,680

if this is needed.

00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:46,080

We will explain to you what

treatment your baby needs and explain

00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,280

the different devices when

your baby's admitted.

00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,600

You will be able to see your

baby as soon as possible.

00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:56,040

When you will be able to have

your first cuddle will very much

00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,040

depend on you and

your baby's condition.

00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,600

We can help to provide

other comfort measures

00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:03,600

if you are unable

to hold your baby.

00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,600

The unit is divided into three areas:

00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,320

Intensive Care (ITU)

00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,240

High Dependency (HDU)

00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,960

Special Care (SCBU)

00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:21,440

We are a specialist unit

for extremely pre-term

00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,440

sick babies or babies

needing specialist input.

00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,280

If you are not from Cambridge,

once your baby is stable,

00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,640

we'll prepare your baby

for transfer to the local hospital

00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,560

in order to put everything

in place for going home.

00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:37,560

We have a specialist team

who will transfer your baby.

00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,760

Our parents room is for

parents and siblings only.

00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,080

Drink facilities are available.

00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:49,320

Please see the information board for more

details on our parent support sessions.

00:02:50,920 --> 00:02:53,960

If you choose to breastfeed

or use your own milk,

00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,280

the expressing room is available.

00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,560

We will talk to you

about different feeding options

00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,840

when your baby is admitted to the unit

and support your choices.

00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,160

In addition to breastmilk, we

also have access to donor breastmilk

00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,880

and different formulas

depending on your baby's needs.

00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,440

We have limited parent accommodation

available in Chestnut House,

00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:17,600

which is run independently

from the hospital by the charity

00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:22,880

The Sick Children’s Trust, availability

will be discussed on an individual basis

00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:27,360

once your babies are connected.

Car parking is available close by,

00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:30,560

please check for any available discounts.

00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,440

We are also able to offer you

video calls with your baby.

00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,200

Please talk to the nurse looking

after your baby about this option.

00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:42,840

We know that being a parent to

a baby on NICU is stressful.

00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:46,040

A team of clinical

psychologists, counsellors,

00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:49,680

and chaplains work closely

with us to support you on your journey.

00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:52,560

Many families find this helpful.

00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:55,640

Thank you very much for watching,

00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,640

we are looking forward

to welcoming you onto NICU.

00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:01,800

If you have any questions,

please don't hesitate

00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,720

to contact your local midwife

who will be happy to help.

Our neonatal unit provides a full range of services for the catchment population of Cambridge. The unit also attracts tertiary referrals for extremely preterm or ill neonates from within the East of England and surrounding districts. Our NICU is designed and equipped to care for the sickest and most vulnerable babies and we are supported by a range of specialists, including Paediatric Surgeons and Neurosurgeons.

All expectant parents hope that their babies will be healthy. Yet sometimes problems arise that require a newborn to be admitted to the NICU for treatment. Being born prematurely, having a difficult delivery or antenatal concerns are all reasons a baby may be admitted to the NICU.

It is stressful when a baby is unexpectedly admitted to the NICU. We aim to support the family throughout their baby's stay and encourage parents to become involved in their baby's care. The doctors, nurses, and other caregivers in the unit will do their best to provide emotional support for you while caring for your infant's medical needs.

The nurse caring for your baby will be able to update you on their progress when you visit the unit or by telephone. You can telephone the unit at any time day or night. The medical staff will update you regularly on the condition of your baby.