A new state-of-the-art neonatal unit has now been completed and is fully operational at East Surrey Hospital as part of a significant £8.5m expansion by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
As part of the expansion, the project has increased the number of cots available by 25% and doubled the intensive care and high dependency capacity on the unit. Space has also been significantly increased around the incubators, allowing patients to remain closer to their baby.
Although having been planned for prior to the coronavirus pandemic, this additional space has also facilitated easier social distancing within the unit too.
East Surrey Hospital in Redhill provides neonatal support to approximately 500 premature and sick babies each year.
Improvements were also made within the unit to allow for a comfortable expressing room for parents, a quiet room for when people wish to step out of the clinical environment and two side rooms with en-suite facilities. Additional state-of-the-art incubators, which allow parents to record their voice, heartbeat or a story for their baby, have also been added as part of the improvements.
Ingrid Marsden, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s Neonatal Matron, said: “This new unit is already making such a difference to new parents and their babies. It’s so modern and spacious – parents and staff are delighted. The enhanced equipment makes the experience for babies and parents much better, and with the support of SASH Charity we’ll be going even further.”
Michael Wilson CBE, Chief Executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We provide care for 4,500 births every year so it is vital that we have the very best facilities for those who need extra support. We now have a genuinely five-star unit and we are delighted to have been able to create it for local families.”
