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Brilliant time in neonatal

Posted By Katee95

"Brilliant time in neonatal"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Neonatal Unit

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

My baby was transferred from Dublin to Craigavon hospital the week of Christmas and we have been in since. My experience in CAH has been superb. The girls/ staff are amazing and go above and beyond to help in any way they can. The hygiene in here is brilliant, however I will say that it is not that pleasant when work men are coming in without masks on. I understand that they are not staff but they are in contact with vulnerable babies. I have mentioned it before, however I want to reiterate it because it is really vital. The food in here I haven't fully availed of because they bring down a free lunch at a set time, however 9/10 times I am busy with my baby. Instead, a meal voucher or something you could use at any time would be far more beneficial. Another thing that would be useful would be some sort of pumping room. Whenever I was in Dublin, they had a designated room for this and without this I definitely wouldn't have had milk for my baby. It is even nice to have a bit of space to clear your head or even eat lunch. In a similar way, some sort of family room or communal room would be brilliant so I could speak to other mummy's and relate to their stories. Thanks to everyone in neonatal!! 

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Responses

Response from Una Toland, Ward Manager, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Una Toland
Ward Manager, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 07/02/2023 at 15:31
Published on Care Opinion at 16:38

picture of Una Toland

Dear Katee95

Thank you for taking the time to reflect on your neonatal experience

We are currently undergoing a significant refurbishment in neonatal and whilst some inconvenience will be inevitable, we look forward to our updated surroundings in the very near future. I acknowledge your comment in relation to the workmen and when first raised this issue was discussed with the contractors and will be kept under review whilst contract work is ongoing.

During the recent pandemic and in response to department of health and local Trust Infection Prevention and Control guidance, several of our communal shared spaces were re designated as alternative rooms. When this current refurbishment project is complete, we aim to work closely with our IPC colleagues to gradually return rooms to their former purpose. We understand how important it is for parents to gain support from each other by sharing their unique experience and in light of the recent pandemic and the risks still evident we want to do this in a safe environment as we try to normalize things again.

Our family room is available 24/7 for day and night time use as a space for parents to have some quiet time and also to avail of facilities for storing lunches and warming food and to have tea and coffee ad hoc. We look forward to the re-opening of a second family room over the next few weeks.

Our Neonatal unit is working towards Baby Friendly Initiative standards and we therefore encourage mothers to be physically close to their baby at the cot side,which in turn does positively contribute to successful lactation, especially when their baby is on respiratory support and close monitoring in the neonatal intensive care unit. We do however, acknowledge your suggestion to have the choice of a pumping room away from the cot side for expressing milk.

Thank you once again for your views and for your kind feedback, which will be shared with our team

Regards

Una Toland Ward Manager

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Response from Una Toland, Ward Manager, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 3 months ago
We have made a change
Una Toland
Ward Manager, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 03/03/2025 at 15:46
Published on Care Opinion at 15:46

picture of Una Toland

Hello katee95

We are pleased to provide an update on re opening of the second family room, which now provides parents with a space for time out and also to express milk for their baby.

Adjacent to this room is a further parent/family tea room where parents can avail of light refreshments and where they can also bring a packed lunch with them and use the facility to have a quiet period outside of the clinical area.

Regards

Una Toland

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