Neonatal Unit (Ward 22)

The Neonatal Unit (NNU) at Leighton Hospital provides Intensive, High Dependency and Special Care for babies across South Cheshire and the surrounding district. Primarily the NNU cares for premature babies but also accepts full term babies with medical conditions. The NNU has 3 Intensive Care, 4 High Dependency and 8 Special Care cots.

Parents have 24 hour access to their baby and can see their baby at any time of day or night.

Click here to view a virtual tour of our Neonatal Unit.

More information can be found in our virtual flip book.

Philosophy of Care

Our aim is to provide excellent and individualised care that consistently places the baby and their family at the heart of all we do.

Neonatal care is based on creating caring relationships in a secure, welcoming environment. We pride ourselves on having high levels of sensitivity, empathy and respect for individuals, their wishes and cultures. With this as our foundation, we promise:

To provide the optimum care and treatment for all babies based on the most up to date research and resources in partnership with families, the multidisciplinary team and the wider Northwest Neonatal Network.
To encourage and support the developing relationship between families and baby, providing information and guidance in order for families to be fully integrated into the NNU care team.
To deliver holistic care through the utilisation of an expert multidisciplinary team, that considers the baby and family as a whole.
To update and expand our knowledge in all areas relating to the medical, nursing and therapeutic care of neonates, promoting evidence based practice and lifelong learning, in order to always provide the best care for babies and their families.
To create an atmosphere of friendliness and reassurance, honesty and support; recognising that this is an unexpected journey for the baby and their family.

To foster and promote a family and baby-centred developmentally supporting and nurturing environment, that offers sensitive neuroprotective care; minimising stress and pain and protecting sleep. We recognise that this environment in partnership with the parent-baby relationship, is key to future development and wellbeing, and helps provide the best possible outcomes for the baby and their family.

Visiting

Parents, guardians, siblings and grandparents are welcome to visit their baby/babies at any time they wish.

2 other visitors are welcome between 5pm and 6pm daily and between 10am and 11am on Saturday and Sunday.

Care on the Neonatal Unit

The NNU at Leighton is part of the Northwest Neonatal Operational Delivery Network. This website has lots of information for parents. For example information about all the Neonatal Units in the Northwest to links for parent support.

What happens if my baby needs to be transferred to another unit?

Your baby may need to be transferred to another hospital for a number of reasons. This will be discussed with you by both the medical and nursing teams, and you will be supported throughout the process.

The decision to transfer a baby isn’t taken lightly and your baby will only be moved when the doctors and nurses, on the neonatal unit and the transport team, are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

The most common reason for transfer is that your baby requires a higher level of care than their local hospital is able to provide.

On some occasions your baby may need to be moved because they have been born with a heart condition or surgical condition that requires surgery or specialist review. In the North West our surgical and cardiac centres are based at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.

Your baby may also be transferred to a hospital closer to your home for continuation of care which will support your transition to home and the opportunity to meet local professionals for ongoing support in the community if required.

Prior to non-emergency transfers, it can be arranged for you to be shown around and orientated to a unit your baby is being transferred to.

For more information about Neonatal transfers and the team, please visit https://connectnw.baby

Other support available

NeoMates – Access via Facebook for peer support if you have a baby on the Neonatal Unit.
Bliss (www.bliss.org.uk/contact) - Bliss offers emotional and practical support to empower families of babies born premature or sick and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible care to their baby.
Catch App (Common Approach to Children’s Health) – is a free NHS health app for parents of children from pregnancy to age 5 with information about common conditions.
Lactation Consultant is available for help and advice with breast feeding.
Frenulotomy service available via referral from a health care professional