Barnstaple Hospital
Barnstaple Special Care Unit has 8 cots and cares for babies from 32 weeks gestation
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, EX31 4JB
01271 322610
Look around Barnstaple Neonatal Unit
Meet the Neonatal Leadership Team
Lead Neonatal Consultant: Dr Harriet Aughey
Lead Nurse for Paediatrics and Neonates: Lucy Barnard
Neonatal Ward Manager: Ade Agoro
Content not to be used without permission of the SW Neonatal ODN, please contact: swneonatalnetwork@uhbw.nhs.uk
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The Neonatal Unit is on Level 2 of the Ladywell Unit, within Caroline Thorpe Children's Ward. There is lift access available.
To enter the unit, you will need to go through two secure doors. Please press the buzzer at each door and let the staff know who you are. A member of the team will let you in.
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Getting here and parking
North Devon District Hospital is located at Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JB.
Travelling by car
The hospital is signposted from the main roads into Barnstaple, with parking available on site.
Public transport
Local buses run to the hospital from Barnstaple and surrounding areas. Barnstaple train station is approximately two miles away, with bus connections to the hospital.
Parking
Free parking is available for parents and carers with a baby on the Neonatal Unit. Please speak to a member of staff for information about parking arrangements.
For directions, public transport information and further parking details, visit the North Devon District Hospital website.
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Parents and legal guardians are welcome on the Neonatal Unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can be with your baby whenever you wish.
Brothers and sisters are also welcome at any time. We know how important it is for families to be together and encourage you to spend time with your baby as a family.
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Grandparents, other family members and friends are welcome to visit your baby.
To help keep the unit calm and comfortable for babies and families, we ask that:
No more than two visitors are at the cot side at one time, in addition to parents.
Quiet time is between 12pm and 2pm, when only parents, carers and siblings can visit.
Children under 16 can only visit if they are the baby's brother or sister.
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Babies can be particularly vulnerable to infections, so we ask everyone visiting the unit to help us keep them safe.
Please remove your coat or other outdoor clothing and hang it in the space provided.
Wash your hands before approaching your baby's cot.
Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms such as a cough, cold, sore throat, diarrhoea or vomiting.
If you have been in contact with an infectious illness, such as chickenpox or measles, please speak to the unit before visiting.
Information about the neonatal unit
Your baby’s care
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Doctors visit the unit throughout the day, so there is no set time for ward rounds. If you would like to speak to a doctor about your baby's care, please let a member of staff know and they will help arrange this.
We encourage you to be involved in all decisions about your baby's care. Nurses share a handover at the bedside to the next team coming o sjift about your baby during handover at 7:30am and 7:30pm, and you are welcome to be part of these conversations, ask questions and share anything that is important to you.
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Your baby will have a nurse caring for them each day, and their name will be displayed on the board above your baby’s cot. You can ask them any questions or share any concerns you may have. Other nurses on the unit will also be happy to help.
The doctors will visit your baby each day during their ward round to review their care and discuss any plans.
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We want you to feel comfortable asking questions or sharing any worries or concerns you may have about your baby's care. We're here to listen and support you.
You can speak to:
The nurse caring for your baby
The Ward Manager
Any member of staff you feel comfortable talking to
If you feel your concerns haven't been resolved, you can also contact the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), who can offer further help and support.
Email: rduh.pals@nhs.net
Facilities
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You are welcome to spend as much time as you wish with your baby. Being close to your baby is important for bonding, getting to know them and being involved in their care.
If you would like to stay overnight beside your baby, please speak to your nurse. We have fold-out beds (Z-beds) available in our special care areas and will do our best to arrange this, depending on space.
We also have a family room where parents can stay overnight, spend time breastfeeding or preparing to care for their baby before going home. The room has its own bathroom, a television and DVD player, and can be locked for privacy.
Meals are available for parents and carers staying overnight.
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Family quiet room
We have a quiet room where you can take a break from the main unit, spend time together as a family, breastfeed or express milk. The room can also be used for private conversations with staff or while your baby is having a procedure.
Kitchen facilities
There is a small kitchen area at the entrance to the ward where you can prepare hot drinks.
The parents' room also has a fridge where you can store your own food and a microwave for heating meals.
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Other facilities and support
Free parking for parents and carers.
Baby diaries to help you record special moments and memories during your baby's stay.
Scent cloths to help you and your baby become familiar with each other's scent.
SNUG – Support for families
SNUG is a charity that supports families who have experienced a difficult pregnancy, birth or neonatal stay.
SNUG volunteers visit our Neonatal Unit and can offer emotional and practical support to you and your family during your stay.
You can find out more about the support SNUG offers on the SNUG website.
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We are here to support you to make informed choices about how you would like to feed your baby. Our team can provide information, guidance and practical support to help you feel confident with feeding your baby.
We encourage you to spend as much time as you wish with your baby. Each cot space has a comfortable reclining chair so you can be close to your baby, enjoy skin-to-skin contact and be involved in their feeding and care.
Breast pumps are available for you to use beside your baby. If you would prefer somewhere more private to express milk, you can also use our quiet room or overnight stay room. We have breast pumps available for you to borrow and use at home if you have been discharged from hospital.
We are working towards UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation, and our nursing team is trained to support you with breastfeeding and expressing milk. We also have an Infant Feeding Coordinator who can offer additional advice and support if needed.
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Brothers and sisters are welcome on the unit. We have books, crayons and toys to help keep them entertained during visits.
There is also a large school room opposite the Neonatal Unit that siblings can use, with play specialists available to support children with play and activities. Children must be supervised by an adult while using the room.