About the unit
Our special care baby unit (SCU) at The Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate has two high dependency cots, and 14 cots in total.
Virtual tour of our unit
We understand that having your baby being cared for on the neonatal unit can be a stressful time for parents and families. If your baby is going to be or has been admitted onto the neonatal unit, or if you are coming to see a baby on the neonatal unit, you may find it helpful to familiarise yourself in advance with where the unit is and how to get there.
The Neonatal Network for Kent, Surrey and Sussex recently completed a video tour (below) of how to get to our neonatal unit, the facilities available on the unit and other helpful information. Press the play button in the bottom left to see a walkthrough from our front door to and then around the unit, or click on one of the other icons to explore specific areas of the tour directly.
Trigger warning
If you are a parent or carer and wish to use our virtual tour to explore our unit, please make sure you are in a safe space and feel emotionally ready to revisit the unit. Some parents have told us that revisiting the unit, even years after your baby was cared for by the neonatal team, can bring back emotional memories, so please take care.
Here is the link to the ODN website where all the links to the 13 neonatal units, neonatal transport service and Ronald McDonald House (Brighton) virtual tours are available.
Facilities for parents
A parents/visitors' sitting room is available for your use and we also have limited accommodation available on hospital grounds for parents. Please be aware that priority for those rooms is given to parents whose babies are critically ill.
We do encourage you to stay with your baby prior to going home. Unfortunately if you are staying in the unit we are not able to accommodate brothers or sisters to stay the night.
Important things to remember
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When you come into the unit please use the cloakroom for your coats and bags.
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Please wash your hands prior to entering the nursery.
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Please do not leave any valuables unattended on the unit.
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Lockers are available in the cloakroom and keys can be provided.
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Please use a cot to move your baby around the unit rather than carrying baby.
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Please keep hot drinks away from your baby.
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Switch off all mobile phones as they may interfere with equipment.
Camera at door entrance. Admitted by identification only.
24 hours access for parents and siblings. (siblings must not be in their school uniform)
Friends and family: 4-8pm
Two visitors per cot - one being a parent
Free parking for parents valid for a period of one month at a time.
It's really important to keep your strength up and look after yourself. Please remember to come out to have regular meals.
We offer free meal vouchers to all the families on the unit as well as snacks, water and hot drinks.
