PREMATURE and sick babies at Basildon Hospital will now be treated in a state-of-the-art facility, after the opening of a new £1 million unit.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) offers around-the-clock care for unwell newborns, as well as the opportunity for parents to experience how to look after their premature babies’ needs before they go home.
Jerusha Murdoch Kelly, deputy director of nursing, said: “It can be such a daunting experience having a premature or sick baby, but with these new facilities, our dedicated staff and such a welcoming environment we hope this area will make it a more calming place to spend those precious first moments.”
Premature babies are those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Around 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK every year, or one in every 13 births.
The new unit, which officially opened this week, is far bigger than the previous one, with more room for the babies and parents.
There are 19 cots, a breastfeeding area, and a lounge where parents can make drinks, use a microwave for hot meals, and store food in a fridge.
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As each cot has their own lighting systems, which means the lights can be lower or increased depending on whether the baby is sleeping, or whether the parents are visiting, which can be different for each baby at different times.
And parents can also sit - or sleep - in comfort, with 10 specialist recliner chairs being added to the side of cots, allowing them to always be close to their infant. Eight of these chairs were paid for by Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, who donated over £50,000 to help create the unit.
Another addition in the new uniting is the rooming-in-room. Fitted with a bed, seats and en-suite shower, this allows parents to spend time with their child and learn how to care for their needs in the safety and security of the NICU before they go home.
Ms Murdoch Kelly added this new addition will make the transition from hospital to home for parents and baby much easier than before.
She said: “Rooming-in is like a practice session for taking care of your baby on your own before you go home.
“It gives you a chance to care for your baby with a nurse close by for help and advice.
“It can make the change from hospital to home much smoother for you and your baby.”
If you have raised money for a good cause like the new NICU we want to know about how you did itts. Email the newsdesk on basildon.echonews@newsquest.co.uk
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