St Michaels Hospital
St Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has 31 cots and cares for babies of all gestations
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust,
St Michael’s Hospital Bristol, Level D, Southwell Street, Bristol, BS2 8EG
0117 342 1737/1736
Look around St Michael’s Neonatal Unit
Content not to be used without permission of the SW Neonatal ODN, please contact: swneonatalnetwork@uhbw.nhs.uk
Information about the Neonatal Unit
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St Michaels Neonatal intensive care unit is situated in St Michaels hospital on Southwell street, Bristol. Neonatal intensive care is on level D. When using the public access lift or stairs it is to the right when you enter level D.
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We can provide you with free parking at our hospital car parks. Please ask a member of staff for a parking permit form and they will issue you with information on how to claim your free parking. You are able to park in any of the hospital car parks, parking on St Michaels hill pay and display is not included in the free parking areas.
When you arrive at the hospital find somewhere to park and then ask about parking when you arrive on the unit.
Our hospital is within a city clean air zone. Please be mindful if your car is eligible to drive through the area without having to pay a fee.
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We have open access on our unit for parents and siblings. There are no restrictions in place. There is a call buzzer system on the entrance to the unit. If someone does not answer the call buzzer there is also a telephone which you can use to call one of the intensive care rooms to make staff aware you are wanting to enter the unit.
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Wider family and friends aged over 16 can visit between 12pm and 7pm. We ask that only 3 people are at each baby’s bed space at one time, and this must include a parent. When parents are visiting with siblings and no other extended family, there are no restriction on how many people can be at the bedspace.
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We ask that you and your friends and family remove outside coats, jackets, wrist watches and all jewellery except plain wedding bands before entering the unit.
We have a ‘bare to the elbow’ policy.
We ask that you adhere to hand washing guidelines and use alcohol hand gel when moving around the unit and before and after touching your baby.
Hand washing guidelines can be found at every sink on the unit and must be adhered to on every entry into the room your baby is in prior to contact with your baby.
If you are unwell (or may have been in contact with a contagious illness or disease) that could affect your baby, please ask or telephone the nurse in charge for advice
Your Baby’s Care
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We welcome your input to the care we give your baby. You are a valued member of your baby’s care giving team and we will work in partnership with you during the ward round and when we plan your baby’s care.
When staff, both nursing and medical finish their shift they spend time talking to the new staff about the progress of your baby to handover your baby’s care. There are different handover and ward round times during the day and night. Some of these happen at the cot-side and others away from the clinical area.
The neonatal team will see your baby on the daily ward round and will meet with you regularly to discuss their progress. We encourage parents to be present and involved where able.
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You will always have a nurse allocated to care for your baby each day. This nurse will be able to update you on your baby, they will also be able to give you support or signpost you to any support you may need.
You can ask to talk to the medical team looking after your baby and an update from a consultant. This may not always be possible to happen straight away but they will always aim to speak to you the same day and if they are unable to they can arrange this for a later date.
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You can discuss any concerns you may have with a member of the staffing team.
You can speak to your baby’s named nurse. There is always a nurse in charge of the unit. You can request to speak to the nurse in charge or consultant at any time.
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Dr Adam Smith-Collins
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Our matrons are Louise Gould and Sarah Farrow.
Facilities
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We have accommodation this is located outside the hospital, opposite the entrance and is a small walking distance to the main hospital entrance.
We aim to provide accommodation to parents who live away from the local area to enable them to be near their baby. Our dedicated charity Cots for Tots provides accommodation at Cots for Tots House. All rooms have private bathroom facilities and accommodate between 2 and 4 people.
Please note family rooms are limited and cannot be guaranteed. There is communal living, kitchen and laundry facilities (small charge). Each room has a TV and towels are available on request. Cots for Tots House also has an internal telephone system so you can easily contact the unit for an update on your baby. It also offers free WiFi.
There is an admission form to complete and criteria to fulfil. Although we aim to provide accommodation for everyone, availability is limited and not guaranteed. Please ask if you wish to be considered.
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Parent Kitchen
We have a parent kitchen where you can make hot drinks, heat up food, and store your own items in the fridge. Please note that hot drinks are not to be taken into the baby rooms for safety reasons.Meal Provision
Meals are available for both parents with babies on NICU. Lunch and evening meals can be collected from Ward 73 (upstairs) and must be pre-ordered at the NICU reception desk the morning before.Cafés and Shops
There is a café in the main entrance to the hospital selling hot drinks, meals, and snacks, as well as vending machines for food and drinks. Close to the hospital are numerous cafés and restaurants (open seven days a week) and a variety of shops including a small supermarket.Bristol City Centre is about a 15-minute walk away (please note there are some steep hills). A free hospital shuttle bus also operates Monday to Friday from the front of the hospital, providing transport around the city - including to the main bus and train stations. Timetables are available from the reception desk on Level C.
Sanctuary Room
Our Sanctuary Room, located on Level C, is open daily and offers a quiet space to sit, reflect, and take some time for yourself. -
We are fortunate to have a dedicated Family Support Sister on the unit. They will try to introduce themselves during your stay and are always happy to talk through any emotional or practical concerns you may have. You can ask your nurse to make a referral, or contact them directly — their number is displayed on posters around the unit.
We also have access to qualified psychologists who can provide support and guide you to further services if needed.
Our Chaplaincy Department visits the unit regularly and is available to offer social, spiritual, pastoral, or religious support. Please ask your nurse if you’d like to contact a member of the chaplaincy team.
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On NICU, we have a feeding support team who are able to support you in your feeding journey.
We have a dedicated expressing room for mums who are either resident or living at home, which is open 24 hours a day.
We provide all the equipment needed and can even loan out some pumps to be taken home or to Cots for Tots if requested (£20 refundable deposit required).
There are fridges and freezers for storage of your breast milk.
If you are unable or choose not to express milk and wish to formula feed, we will support this decision. We aim to empower you to make an informed choice regarding feeding and will respect your views.
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We understand that having a baby on the neonatal unit can be challenging for the whole family, including brothers and sisters. A stay on the unit can be confusing or upsetting for siblings, and we are here to offer support to help them feel included and cared for during this time.
The Grand Appeal runs a sibling activity scheme, giving access to a number of local attractions. Please ring LIAISE on 0117 342 8065 to reserve tickets.
We also have sibling packs full of activities for siblings. The family room also has a small selection of toys.
If you would like any further support for your baby’s brothers or sisters, please speak to your nurse.