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 3) care born at the WCH, born elsewhere in South Australia, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and the far west of New South Wales. NICU also provides a Neonatal Retrieval Service within South Australia. 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.  A pager is available to parents when the need arises. For safety reasons do not bring food or drinks into the Nursery.

Accommodation is available within the hospital grounds at a nominal charge.  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

The majority of nursing staff delivering care in NICU are registered nurses/midwives with Neonatal Intensive Care qualifications.

Services and facilities

Meals for parents and caregivers are available from the cafe.

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

Car parking is available on or near the hospital grounds. 

Visiting

Parents and siblings of NICU babies may visit at any time, however, to meet confidentiality requirements, it is best not to visit during staff rounds and handovers.

Parents decide who may visit their baby.  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 creche .

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 Information

Nursing Unit Head

Clinical Service Coordinator
Deirdre Clarke

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

Ph (08) 8161 7870

Pager 4164

Fax (08) 8161 7835

Email  deirdre.clarke@cywhs.sa.gov.au

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