The neonatal stay
Whilst your baby is a patient on the Neonatal Unit, they will be cared for by a named nurse whose name will appear on the allocation board next to your baby’s cot.
We have a wide range of staff who work on the unit including neonatal nurses, nursing associates, midwives, nursery nurses, clinical educators, healthcare support workers, consultants, registrars, house officers and advanced neonatal practitioners.
You may meet other health professionals who visit regularly, such as hearing screeners, dieticians and radiographers. If you would like to speak to our consultants or ward manager, please ask your baby’s named nurse and they will be happy to assist you.
Parent facilities
Parent facilities
Please ensure one of our nurses has shown you all facilities on the unit, this includes bedrooms, bathrooms, the parent’s lounge and kitchen, the expressing room and the ward.
Please be aware we have a limited number of rooms available for parents and they are reviewed every day according to those with the greatest need such as:
- To establish breast feeding
- To allow for ‘rooming in’ before taking your baby home
- To allow parents to be with their very sick baby
Visitors and parents may use the parent’s kitchen to make themselves a drink. Please ensure the drink has a lid on if you are taking it onto the ward.
Fire alarm testing
Fire alarm testing takes place every Tuesday morning. When leaving the unit for any length of time, please make staff aware of your absence. This is to ensure staff know your whereabouts in the event of a fire.
Parking
Please speak to your baby’s named nurse or one of our receptionists about free car parking.
For further details visit: https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/hospitals/lincoln-county/parking/
Food options
Food including deliveries and vending machines
Meals are provided daily for resident mums and these are ordered via the housekeepers. Please complete your form and pop it in the white box on top of the silver fridge in the parent’s kitchen – alternatively pass it to a housekeeper, health care support worker or the receptionist. Dads/partners are not provided with meals. See below for details of coffee shops/canteen.
Takeaways/deliveries
Takeaways can be delivered to the hospital. However, partners need to take responsibility for collecting the food.
Hospital coffee shops
Main reception (ULHTEA)
The coffee shop serves a full range of hot and cold items along with a variety of sandwiches, salads and cakes together with hot and cold drinks.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 7pm
Antenatal clinic in the maternity building (ground floor).
The coffee shop serves a full range of hot and cold items with a variety of sandwiches, salads and cakes, plus hot and cold drinks.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm
County Restaurant/hospital canteen
The County Restaurant offers a wide selection of hot and cold meals, sandwiches and a range of cakes and confectionery. As well as the self-service salad bar, there are freshly prepared baguettes at the made to order counter.
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 2.30pm
Saturday and Sunday, CLOSED
Please note there is limited seating for patients but take-away is available.
Vending machines
There are vending machines in the maternity building (ground floor) and the main reception of the hospital.
There is an indoor walkway leading from antenatal ground floor to the main hospital. However, this takes around 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the main hospital. If you require a wheelchair, please speak to a member of staff.
Getting to hospital and visiting
Getting to the hospital
https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/hospitals/lincoln-county/directions/
Visiting
Open visiting operates on this ward for parents (24 hour access).
Grandparents and siblings are welcome between 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 7pm.
Open visiting over the age of 16 (unless siblings) are welcome between 3pm to 7pm.
Accommodation
Neonatal parent accommodation
There are two parent bedrooms available for use (subject to availability). The parent’s rooms are provided for you to do more for your baby. It is anticipated, therefore, that you will participate in your baby’s care both during the daytime and the night time. To respect other parents and staff please ensure you are dressed appropriately at all times.
Whilst we try to accommodate all parents, on occasions you may be asked to leave for a period; this may also be at short notice. We ask that you do not leave your baby alone in the bedroom and that you do not carry your baby around, but use the cots provided.
Visitors accommodation (if neonatal accommodation is full)
High quality apartment share accommodation is located on our hospital site and subject to availability for relatives of patients, people attending training courses or interviews and contractors working on our sites. All apartments have secure access, shared lounges/dining areas, fully equipped kitchens and individual bedrooms with en suite facilities.
If you wish to enquire about this please contact the accommodation booking clerk on 01476 464487 or by emailing [email protected]
Local alternatives
Premier Inn Lincoln City Centre, Broadgate, Lincoln, LN2 5AQ. Phone 03333 219305
Travelodge Lincoln City Centre, 16 Tentercroft St, Lincoln LN5 7DB. Phone 08719 846543
The Lincoln Hotel, Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1PN. Phone 01522 520348
Toilets
There are specific visitor toilets for partners.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the hospital sites, including car parks. E-cigarettes and vaping is permitted in outdoor areas of the hospital if it is not done near others.
Local shops/supermarkets
A shop is located near the main hospital entrance, which has ready-to-eat sweet and savoury foods. Also available to buy are nappies, gifts, cards, toiletries, clothing, magazines, books and newspapers. There is a free to use cash machine.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7.30pm
Saturday 8.30am to 7.00pm
Sunday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Contacting the ward
We know that it can be a worrying time when your loved one is in hospital and you will want to know how they are. It would help if only one member of the family contacts the ward after 1pm and they can pass on the information to the rest of the family. The telephone number for Neonatal is 01522 573604.
Please ask to speak with the nurse looking after your baby for an update. You are welcome to call any time of the day or night. Please refrain from using your mobile phone for calls in the clinical areas. You are more than welcome to text or take photos.
Launderette
The hospital does not offer launderette services for patients and families, therefore, the nearest services are located at Abbey Washeteria at 197 Monks Road, Lincoln, LN2 5JP.
Security and ward rounds
Security
There is an intercom system on the main door – if the buzzer is not answered immediately, please be patient as we may be busy with the babies. For security reasons please do not let anyone else through the doors with you.
Please note the main entrance of the maternity block is locked at 10pm and reopens at 6am.
These security measures are in place to keep your baby safe so please help us to do this.
Ward rounds
There are ward rounds everyday on the unit starting at 10am. Please call the unit for a time. This means you will meet one or all of our consultants during your baby’s stay. Please feel free to discuss any fears or concerns at this time. If you are not present during ward round, the named nurse will fully update you on the plan of care and you can also ask to speak directly with the consultant.
FaceTime
You can request to FaceTime your baby if you can’t come in person, please call the unit and a member of staff will be happy to arrange this for you.
Sibling club and family integrated care
Sibling club
This is called Shipmates and little shrimps! Our sibling playgroup (ages 2 to 12) runs the first Saturday of the month – booking is essential. Please speak to a member of staff for booking.
Badger diaries
Please speak to the nurse looking after your baby about getting an account set up on badger diaries – photos and updates are added daily so you can see your baby’s progress from home.
Family Integrated Care with you & me sessions
You & me sessions are led by nursing staff helping to teach you about caring for your baby, please speak to a member of staff to arrange this. Alternately, every Wednesday at 2pm our Outreach team hold a basic life support and choking course – please see reception to sign up.
Counselling and psychology
Counselling and psychology
We understand this is a challenging time with lots of ups and downs. Please seek support from the Neonatal team, we also have a qualified counselling psychologist – please talk to staff for more information.
Quiet time
The Neonatal Unit operates a daily quiet time between 12pm to 2.30pm.
During this time we dim the lights and keep noise to a minimum. This provides babies with a rest period from the medical procedures and activities experienced throughout the day. This time also provides you with the opportunity to cuddle your baby and have skin to skin care. While your baby rests and sleeps please take advantage of this time to rest or take a nap if you would prefer to.
Lullaby hour
Facilitated during quiet time your baby can enjoy soothing sounds to help them rest and grow.
Feedback
We would love to hear all about your/your partner’s neonatal experience – what worked well or not so well? This information is then fed back into the system where improvements are made and praise is celebrated. Please contact [email protected] for more details, or scan the QR code below on your smart device.
Any questions please ask a member of staff.