We hear from the NHS Primary Care Trust today that work has now started on the project to build the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Mary’s Hospital in Newport.
As any of you who have used the existing unit might know, it was designed way back during the 1970s, a time when there was limited equipment used to support neonate babies.
Obviously technology has moved on since then, and we hear from the unit that up to ten large pieces of equipment might be used at any one time to support just one sick baby.
This equipment takes up a huge amount of space hence the need for bigger premises.
The builders (Stoneham Construction Ltd) are now on site and we understand are making significant progress in the programme to remodel what was previously office space neighbouring the Maternity Unit.
It’s all change for the Children, Maternity and Therapies offices who have temporarily re-located to St. Cross Business Park.
The initial building work for the new NICU worth £800,000 is expected to last until the Summer and includes:
- Relocation of the Unit to the same level and adjacent to the maternity unit and labour ward
- Increased cot capacity from 9 to 11 cots to accommodate the babies that need specialist care
- Patient privacy to enable feeding to be established
- Room for mothers and babies to be together
- Space to enable parents, doctors and nurses to work alongside each other to provide specialist and family centered care to every baby that needs it
- Overnight accommodation facilities for parents who want to spend time on the unit near to their baby
- Play facilities for siblings in order to entertain brothers and sisters whilst parents take care of the new baby
- Quiet/Counselling Room to support families who need a quiet space in which to come to terms with their baby’s illness
- Modern, bright, surroundings creating that all-important home from home atmosphere that promotes bonding, recovery and wellbeing.
Once that has been completed and the NICU transfered into it’s new accommodation, another programme of work, this time reconfiguring and extending the old NICU space to make way for the return of the office staff back on site.
Pamela George, Sister in Neonatal Intensive Care, says:
“We’re really excited that building work has started and we will eagerly be watching progress. Our current Unit was built with the demands of the 1970s in mind. Much has happened in the care of premature and very sick babies since then so this new Unit will make a big difference to the service we provide to Island parents and their babies.”
Fundraising Boost For Barely Born
The Barely Born Appeal is aiming to raise a total of £290,000 towards the costs of the scheme and supporters of the NICU have already raised £100,000.
Fiona Collyer, from the Barely Born Appeal comments:
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has already contributed to the appeal or is planning an event for us. We’re looking forward to a very busy spring and summer in which we hope to raise thousands of pounds towards this essential service for the Island. Offers of support for the appeal and fund raising ideas are welcome.”
We’ll have more on the forthcoming Barely Born fundraising events later today.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Auntie P
