Neonatal Transitional Care Unit expands to support more families

The Neonatal Transitional Care Unit is expanding at Great Western Hospital.

Earlier this month, the unit broadened its criteria to now care for babies born from 34 weeks’ gestation, having previously cared for babies born at 35 weeks and above. These babies may need specialised care, additional feeding support or closer monitoring after birth.

This expansion means more babies can stay with their mothers while receiving the specialist care they need, rather than being cared for on a separate unit.

Steve and Becky recently welcomed their daughter, the first baby born at 34 weeks to be cared for under the new criteria, and praised the support they received.

Steve said: “Without the unit, we wouldn’t have been able to learn how to care for her nearly as well as we have, especially at night. It’s been invaluable to look after our own daughter with the team’s support, rather than learning everything on our own once we got home.”

This expansion would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our perinatal team, who continue to go above and beyond for the families in their care.