About the unit
Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at William Harvey Hospital is a specialist intensive care unit with 25 cots. We provide intensive care for newborn babies from across the region
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 before 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 place your coats in the parents' room and leave your bags in the lockers provided
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Please wash your hands before entering the nursery
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Please do not leave any valuables unattended on the unit
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Lockers are available and keys can be provided
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Please use a cot to move your baby around the unit rather than carrying the 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.
For more information regarding facilities, car parking and directions to the hospital, please go to William Harvey Hospital homepage.
24/7 access for parents.
Currently, visitors including grandparents and siblings may visit between 4 pm and 6 pm.
We provide free parking for all parents during their babies' stay.
We provide snacks including soups, pasta pots, sandwiches, fruits, biscuits, tea and coffee.
The league of friends shop has an excellent supply of food, toiletries, cards, books and many other items.
Our parent support group is a place to hear from parents, who have shared or are sharing a neonatal journey, in order to help and support each other, connect with other parents, share stories, milestones, helpful hints, bad days and most importantly good ones.
Find us on Facebook, or ask to join our WhatsApp group.
