Torbay Hospital

Torbay Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) has 10 cots and cares for babies from 32 weeks gestation

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay Hospital

Maternity Unit, Level 3, Torbay Hospital, Lowes Bridge, Torquay, TQ2 7AA

01803 654602

Look around Torbay 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

  • Torbay Special Care Baby Unit (SCU) is located on level 3, enter via the Women’s Health unit (Yellow Zone ) and access will be through John Macpherson Ward. The unit is a secure ward so please ring the doorbell on arrival.

  • Free parking is provided for one car for as long as you are on the Special Care Baby unit . Please ask the SCBU receptionist or your baby’s nurse for a parking permit. For more information click here

  • Access to the Special Care Baby Unit for parents, legal guardians and siblings is open and unrestricted; this means that you can be present with your baby 24 hours a day. We actively encourage siblings to meet their new baby and encourage all families to be at the cot side as a family unit.

  • You are welcome to introduce your baby to your family and friends; we ask that all visitors are over the age of 16 and are illness free. For safety reasons and noise levels we ask that there are maximum of three 3 adults at the cot side at any one time. Visitors will need to visit with a parent present unless otherwise documented in your baby’s care plan. (Please be aware that no flowers are permitted on the unit).

  • To help stop infections spreading, everyone coming into the special care baby unit — families, staff and visitors — must:

    • Be free of infectious illnesses such as coughs, cold and sickness and diarrhoea

    • Take off coats and roll up sleeves to the elbows

    • Take off watches and jewellery · Wash hands and arms up to the elbows

    • Dry hands and arms properly

    • Use the alcohol hand gel

    If you see anyone not doing this, including staff or visitors, please remind them. We also kindly ask you to wash or use hand gel again before you touch your baby.

Your Baby’s Care

  • The neonatal team will see your baby daily on the ward round and will meet with you regularly to discuss your baby’s progress. We encourage you to actively participate in ward rounds. If you are unable to attend the ward round or would like more of an in-depth sit-down discussion, then please request an update from the medical team and we will arrange a mutually convenient time.

  • There are nursing staff present in all nurseries 24 hours a day and your baby will have a named nurse looking after them for each shift, if they are not available then please speak to any member of staff within the nursery.

    • The nurse looking after your infant

    • The nurse in charge of the unit

    • The unit manager

    • The Child Health Matron

    • The consultant on service

    If you are unable to resolve any concerns with one of these members of staff, then please contact the trusts Patient Advisory Liaison Service (PALS) 01803655838 tsdft.feedback@nhs.net

  • Dr Esther Morris and Dr Tom Gorst

  • Matron: Rebecca Hudson Ward Manager: Tracey Hardy

Facilities

  • Our Transitional Care and Special Care Bay includes beds for mothers or primary carers, allowing you to stay resident next to your baby. We will always do our best to accommodate the mother or carer in the other nurseries whenever possible.

    We also have a dedicated single room where the baby and mother or primary carer can stay together in preparation for going home.

  • A shower and toilet are available for the resident mother or primary carer. Partners and visitors are kindly asked to use the toilets located on the 4th floor.

    There is 24-hour access to food and drinks for resident mums and carers.
    Please speak to member of staff if you require any additional support.

    • Unrestricted unit access for parents and siblings

    • Tea and coffee making facilities

    • Baby diary and ‘Snugglies’ (scent cloths)

    • Free car parking

    • Free meals for parents

    • Coming soon - Weekly visits from SNUG ‘Supporting Neonatal Users & Graduates’. Learn more about SNUG peer support HERE

    If you would like more support whilst in SCBU speak to your baby’s nurse. You can also speak to the Hospital Chaplaincy service. There is usually a chaplain present in the hospital 7 days a week, 8:30am to 5:30pm. There is always a chaplain available on call. They offer 24/7 coverage and will support you whenever you need them. You can contact them on 01803 654186 or 01803 656406.

  • We have both the Medela and Ardo pumps available to use at the cot side, so you can be close to your baby whilst expressing. There is an area within the milk kitchen to wash and sterilise your expressing equipment. If you need any support with expressing, breast or bottle feeding then please speak to any of the nursing staff who will be happy to support you. We also have infant feeding specialists within the hospital if required.

  • We actively encourage siblings to meet their new baby and want them to feel welcome and entertained whilst they are here. We have a small selection of toys, colouring and books available, please speak to your baby’s nurse to access them.

Hospital information