We actively encourage one parent/carer to stay overnight. We have beds available at every bed space on the ward so that one parent/carer can remain with their child. Co-sleeping with your child is not allowed due to safety reasons. We have open visiting for parents/carers 24 hours a day. Only one adult may stay overnight.
Accommodation and facilities
Facilities
We have a parents’ room, situated on ward 30 on the link corridor, with a fridge, microwave and drink making facilities. You are able to bring your own food and drink into hospital during your stay and store this in the parents’ room. If you store food or drink in the fridge please label all items with the date, your child’s initials and bed number. All unlabelled food or drink will be disposed of.
The parents’ room is a child-free zone due to the preparation and consumption of hot food and drinks. It is also a place of rest when you are able to do so.
Hot drinks are not allowed on the ward unless they are in a cup with a lid on. We do have a small supply on the ward for you to use, alternatively you may wish to bring your own from home.
Bathing
Shower and toilet facilities are available for parents. They are located outside each 4 bedded bay. All cubicles are en-suite.
We are unable to provide toiletries as we do not keep these items on the ward. They are available to purchase from the shop located in the main entrance of the hospital but it is best bring them in from home.
Milk kitchen
We have a milk kitchen on the unit for parents to sterilise and make up feeds where necessary. The milk kitchen includes a kettle and a fridge to store any opened formula milk, special feeds or breast milk. The kitchen has a microwave for sterilising equipment by Steri-Sac.
Please ask a member of staff who will be able to show you where these items are and will be able to explain to you how to use a steri sac to sterilise any equipment.
Breastfeeding
If your child has been admitted to the Children and Young People’s Unit and is breastfed, we would encourage you to continue to do so during your stay. If you wish to express then the unit has two electric breast pumps available for you to use to express breast milk. Please inform a member of staff if you would like to use one.
If you are at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey with a newborn baby, some of our nursing staff are trained to help and support you during this time. We are also in close contact with our Infant Feeding Team based in the Maternity Unit who can also provide extra care and support, as well as arrange follow ups for you and your baby at the breastfeeding clinic.
If you are breastfeeding, we will provide you with lunch and evening meal, each day during your stay in hospital.
Accessible facilities
A number of our rooms on the ward have ceiling tracking hoists installed. Where there is no hoist installed, mobile hoists are available for use.
We have an accessible bath on the unit which is based on ward 30 behind the nurse’s station. There is a ceiling track hoist along with a shower trolley. The bath is height adjustable and has a pull down side. We have a number of bath chairs available for use which are of different shapes and sizes. We also keep a small number of hoist slings on the ward. Please ask a member of staff if your child wishes to use the bath or for more information.
