Monday 02 March 2026
Family Guide
We also have a Padlet page that contains more detailed information about your stay on the unit, including links to websites, videos and podcasts: Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Neonatal Unit
Salisbury Neonatal Unit telephone number: 01722 425180
Welcome to our Neonatal Unit Family. Being here means that your baby has arrived, and you are now starting an unexpected journey before you are able to take them home.
We appreciate this may not have been part of your plan.
This booklet gives some information, but our team are here to answer any questions you may have.
We will work with you so that you:
You have the unique ability to soothe your baby by providing love and care, along with a nurturing voice that your baby will recognise and gain comfort from.
We follow a philosophy of family integrated care – this means the team are here not just for your baby, but also to support you.
We encourage you to ask questions and voice concerns, so we can work in partnership with you to deliver the best care for you and your baby.
Nursing hand-over:
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· Morning |
07:45 – 08:15 |
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· Evening |
19:45 – 20:15 |
Ward rounds:
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· Daily |
- Mid-morning |
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· Consultant |
- Wednesday 11:00 |
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· Developmental team |
- Wednesday, 13:00 onwards |
Visiting Hours: Parents/partners have unrestricted access to the unit.
All other visitors - 15:00-19:00 please, unless by prior agreement with the team.
About the Unit
We specialise in the care of preterm babies or those who need additional support. Some may stay for a few days, others for longer.
We have 10 cots for intensive care, high dependency care and special care. Babies are usually admitted into the intensive care nursery for monitoring. They will often be in an incubator to help maintain their temperature. Your baby may be attached to monitors that check their heart rate and oxygen levels. They may need other monitoring or support - the nurses will explain these if they are needed.
We also have:
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate siblings to stay over, but they are welcome to visit.
We understand there may sometimes be exceptional circumstances when you may not be able to stay with your baby – please discuss this with the team so we can support you.
If you are leaving the unit, please let us know so that we can keep an eye on your baby whilst you’re away. Please also write a few words about their likes and dislikes on the ‘What Matters to Me’ board by their bedside so that we know how best to comfort them e.g. what position do they like to be held in? Do they like having access to their dummy?
If you are away from the unit we are happy for you to phone at any time to ask about your baby, but please be aware that we can only give information to parents.
Parent and family facilities
Family areas
Refreshment, kitchen and washing machine facilities
There is a water cooler/squash available for you by the nurse’s station – the unit can be very warm and it is important that you stay hydrated.
Meals
Please try to take regular breaks to rest and eat. We provide meals for mothers on the unit (please complete a daily menu to request this). There are fridges and microwaves on the unit, as well as food items donated by the Sophie’s Legacy Charity. We can also give partners a discounted meal ticket for Springs Restaurant.
Springs restaurant and other coffee shops on site – please scan the QR code for details, locations and opening times.
Information about other available onsite facilities
Free Wi-Fi; Pharmacy; book shop; WHSmith; Marks & Spencer ‘food to go’ shop etc. Please scan the QR code.
Amazon lockers are available in Springs restaurant.
Car parking
Car parking is free for neonatal unit parents and updated on a weekly basis. Please ask a member of the team who will arrange this using your car registration.
The best place to park is in car park 8, then walk towards Sarum entrance. Follow the purple signs to the ‘Neonatal Unit’.
Door entry
To gain access through the main doors, please use the doorbell and a member of the team will release the door to let you in or out.
Please be patient, we will respond as quickly as possible. You may be asked to identify yourself; this is for the safety of all babies and families, so that we are aware of who is visiting.
Family time
We welcome parents/support partner and siblings to spend as much time with your little one as you wish. We suggest you prepare siblings by telling them a little about their new family member. You can show them photos and talk about the surroundings to help them to know what to expect when they arrive. Due to infection risk, we ask that non-sibling children under 16 years do not visit.
We usually suggest 2 visitors and one parent at a time per baby. This is because premature babies benefit from a quiet and calm environment. If you have several people visiting at once, they are welcome to base themselves in the family room and visit in turn.
Mobile phones
These are allowed, but please be mindful of noise levels when you are with your baby and keep volume low, especially when on video calls.
The Neonatal Unit Team
There are photos of the team on the board next to the parent’s kitchen. Our neonatal unit padlet also has photos and an explanation of team roles (please scan QR code).
Every baby has a Consultant Neonatologist who is responsible for their care. If you would like a meeting with them or any other member of the team, please let the nursing staff know.
Parent support
For many parents the first few days, weeks and months with a premature or unwell baby are extremely tough. The team are experienced in supporting families and will always find time to explain things to you.
Bliss is a charitable organisation that offers a listening ear, emotional support and information to families whose babies were born premature or unwell www.bliss.org.uk
The NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Foundation also provide support and links to information videos.
There is also a Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership website created by parents, signposting to resources.
Hospital Chaplaincy Team
Offering emotional/pastoral support and a listening ear. They visit the unit regularly and are available to offer religious and spiritual support for people of all faiths, or none.
Please contact them on 01722 429271 or ask one of the team to contact them for you.
There is a chapel within the hospital. Baptisms and naming ceremonies can take place on the unit.
Coffee Morning
A drop in coffee morning and support group for current and ex-neonatal unit families is held monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month between 09:30-11:30 in the family room on the unit. There is no need to book.
Feeding and caring for your baby
We know that close and loving relationships are incredibly important for all babies and parents. We are here to support you to gain the confidence you need to provide the care that your baby needs.
We encourage you to use your journal to record information, milestones, feelings and memories during your neonatal unit journey.
Kangaroo Care All parents are encouraged to hold their babies next to their skin. We suggest a minimum of 1 hour kangaroo care at a time. This is helpful for your baby’s comfort, development, bonding and for enhancing breast milk production. Baby is held upright and close to the skin on your chest, naked except for a nappy, with their back covered by a blanket.
There are a few exceptions where this may not yet be possible - the team will support you to comfort your baby in other ways until they are ready.
Feeding We want you and your baby to enjoy a positive and rewarding feeding experience and take pride as a unit, in supporting all mothers and birthing people, however they choose to feed their babies. When your baby is ready, the nurses and Infant Feeding Team will support you.
Bottles and teats If your decision is to formula feed or to bottle feed breast milk, please bring in your bottles and teats as soon as possible. The nursing team can support with sterilising/making up formula to ensure you are confident.
Nappies, cotton wool, clothes etc. We would be grateful if you could bring these for your baby as soon as you are able. Please label your babies personal blankets, clothes, toys with their name. We have lots of donated baby clothes that you can use, and blankets that have been knitted by volunteers.
Keeping you and your baby safe:
To help protect babies from infection please remove your coat before entering the nursery. Wash your hands when you enter the nursery.
Anyone with a bad cough, cold, or sickness must avoid coming onto the Unit. If you are at all worried or unsure, please see a member of staff for further advice.
Confidentiality
Information about your baby’s health will only be given to parents. During ward rounds/handovers we encourage you to be with your baby so you can discuss their care, ask questions and be partners in their care.
Safeguarding children
As a Trust, we have a legal duty to protect and promote the welfare of all children and young people. Sometimes we will need to contact Children’s Social Care (and other professionals involved in safeguarding) if we have any concerns about babies. We will always discuss this with you prior to a referral. If you already have an allocated social worker, key worker, or have a safeguarding plan in place we will work together with you and Social Care.
Feedback, suggestions and complaints
We welcome feedback at any point – please speak to the team for any suggestions, complaints or concerns, as we can often resolve issues for you.
Alternatively, you can ask to speak with the matron or ward manager or contact the Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Phone: 01722 429044 Email: sft.pals@nhs.net
Preparing for home
Towards the end of your neonatal unit journey, the team will start to prepare you for going home. If your baby was born prematurely, they will need to be:
The team will support you to:
Your baby may be prescribed medicines to continue at home. If so, you will be supported to learn to give these whilst they are still in hospital.
All parents/carers are offered the opportunity to watch a resuscitation video. We feel that it is a skill that all new parents should have, regardless of whether your baby has spent time in a neonatal unit. You will also be offered a practical demonstration.
Your baby needs to be registered within 6 weeks of birth. You’ll need their NHS number from their Red Child Health Book (ask a member of the team if you have not yet received this). Please scan the QR code for information.
If there is anything that you are unsure of, please do not hesitate to speak with a member of staff and we will do our utmost to help you.
We are always looking for ways in which we can improve our service and would appreciate you completing The Parent Experience Survey to feedback about your journey in Salisbury Neonatal Unit. Please ask a member of staff for more information.
Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
