Women's and Babies Division
Patient Care UnitsWards |
Special Care Baby UnitA $50 million upgrade of the Women's and Children's Hospital is about to get underway so that we can continue to provide the highest quality of care while planning continues for a new hospital. The Neonatal Nursery is one of four clinical areas to be redeveloped, with works to commence in late 2019/20.
The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) is a 35 bed unit caring for babies needing short and long term observation and specialised care born at the WCH, born elsewhere in South Australia, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and the far west of New South Wales. SCBU also provides a Neonatal Early Discharge (NED) program. This allows some babies to go home early on gavage (tube) feeds. Your baby's care is continued in the comfort of your own home with regular visits from experienced SCBU Midwives/Nurses. Information for FamiliesA multidisciplinary team provides care for babies in SCBU. These babies are usually born ill and/or prematurely. The unit supports and actively encourages the transfer of babies to their local hospital once they no longer need specialised care. Parents and CaregiversWe welcome the involvement of parents and caregivers while babies are in SCBU. Our care is family-centred, meeting the physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the family. Adjacent to SCBU is a Parenting Unit which provides education and support for parents and families prior to your baby going home. A waiting room is located near the nursery entrance.
The Please ask the Midwife/Nurse who is caring for your baby if you wish to see a social worker, interpreter or minister of religion. Caring for your BabyThe unit is staffed by Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Graduate Nurses and Midwives, and Enrolled Nurses. Many of the Registered Nurses/Midwives have additional qualifications in Neonatal Intensive or Special Care Nursing. A Home Visiting Service is provided by experienced midwives from SCBU for parents and babies who live within 20 km of the WCH. Referrals to other support agencies such as Child and Youth Health, Parenting Network are also offered. Services and Facilities
For safety reasons, please do not bring food or hot drinks into the nursery. Mobile phones interfere with sensitive medical equipment and must not be used in the Nursery. Pay phones are located around the hospital.
Visiting
It is important that all visitors wash their hands on entering and leaving the unit.People who are unwell must not visit the Nursery.You may wish to make arrangements for other siblings to be cared for while
you are visiting. Siblings may be cared for in the WCH Research ActivityThe WCH has an ongoing commitment to research and evidence based practice. Many research activities are conducted with support from the neonatal staff. Hours24 hours Contact Details
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| Phone: | (08) 8161 7848 |
| Pager: | 5913 |
| Fax: | (08) 8161 7835 |
Email: julie.rundell@health.sa.gov.au
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last modified: 05 Jul 2019
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