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Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide

Women's and Babies Division

 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a 14 bed unit responsible for the provision of care for babies in need of intensive (Level 6) care born at the  WCH, born elsewhere in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Western Victoria and the far west of New South Wales.

Information for Families

NICU is where a transdisciplinary team cares for babies who require respiratory support, central line management and continuous observation. These babies may be born ill and/or prematurely.

Parents and Caregivers

We welcome the involvement of parents and caregivers while babies are in NICU. Our care is family-centred, meeting the physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs of the family.

There is a small waiting area near the nursery. 

For safety reasons, please do not bring food or drinks into the Nursery.

WCH page link iconAccommodation is available at the WCH page link iconRoyal Adelaide Hospital Residential Wing. Nearby hotel or motel accommodation is also available.

The Butterfly Card scheme assists families where babies are admitted to hospital for an anticipated period of more than a week or who have frequent admissions or outpatient/day therapy appointments.

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 Baby

All of the nursing staff delivering care in NICU, are Registered Nurses/Midwives, with many having advanced Neonatal Intensive Care qualifications.

Services and Facilities

WCH page link iconMeals for parents and caregivers are available from the Playdeck and Cafeteria.

Mobile phones interfere with sensitive medical equipment and must not be used in the Nursery. Pay phones are located around the hospital.

WCH page link iconCar parking is available on or near the hospital grounds. 

Visiting

  • Parents may visit anytime.
  • Other adult visitors: 1 – 8pm with parental approval only.
  • Children: brothers and sisters of the baby only.
    All other children under the age of 13 are not permitted in the Nursery.
  • Only 4 people (including parents) per family may visit at one time.
  • There may be occasions when visiting is limited to Parents only.

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 WCH page link iconcreche .

Research Activity

The WCH has an ongoing commitment to ethical research and evidence based practice. Many research activities are conducted with support from the Neonatal staff.

Hours

24 hours

Contact Details

Clinical Service Coordinator - Pauline Lowe

Location

3rd Floor - Queen Victoria Building

Mailing Address

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide
South Australia 5006

Phone/Fax/Email

Phone: (08) 8161 7869

Pager:  4164

Fax:     (08) 8161 7835

Email:  pauline.lowe@health.sa.gov.au

WCH page link iconBack to Women's and Babies' Division

 

last modified: 26 Jul 2017

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Find Us

72 King William Road
North Adelaide 5006
South Australia

Ph + 61 8 8161 7000
Fax + 61 8 8161 7459