To help prevent the spread of winter viruses such as Covid-19, influenza and norovirus (winter vomiting bug), and to protect our patients and staff, please do not visit patients in our hospitals if you have: flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, cold); Covid-19 or influenza, or any other infections; diarrhoea and/or vomiting within the last two days.

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Neonatal unit

The neonatal unit at West Suffolk Hospital provides care for sick and preterm infants from 30 weeks gestation onwards. Babies come to us for a variety of reasons and stay with us for varying lengths of time ranging from a few hours to a few weeks.

Services provided 

We have 12 cots which can be used for babies requiring short term intensive care, high dependency care, special care and transitional care, depending on the needs of each individual baby. Parents are partners in the NNU care team.

Our priority is to deliver high quality, safe and effective family integrated care.

Contact the team

Neonatal unit: 01284 713251 or 01284 712854

Dr Tayyaba Aamir, consultant paediatrician

Maija Blagg, senior matron neonatal services

Location

We are on the first floor of the hospital, just past the antenatal clinic.

Opening hours

Visiting times

Parents and siblings have open access at any time of the day or night on the neonatal unit.

Other family and friends are restricted to 2.00pm - 8.00pm weekdays and 10.00am – 8.00pm at weekends. Visitors should be accompanied by the baby's parents, restricted to only two per baby please. No other children under 14 are permitted onto the unit.

Any queries regarding visiting can be answered by the nurse in charge.

Patient information 

We ask that for the comfort and privacy of our babies and families that mobile phones and other electronic devices are kept in silent mode whilst on the unit.

Premature and sick babies are particularly vulnerable to infection, therefore it is essential that all visitors to the unit wash their hands before entering and before handling a baby. It is also important that you inform us if you or any member of your family is unwell in any way.

Support groups

We have a local neonatal parent support group, which undertake lots of fundraising and can be contacted via the unit.

BLISS also offers emotional and practical support and is a great resource for parents/families. Telephone: 0808 801 0322.