Wye Valley NHS Trust is delighted to announce the opening of a new transitional care area at Hereford County Hospital’s special care baby unit, which enables mums and babies to remain together with additional support. 

Previously mums and babies who needed special care may have been separated if their baby had required admission to the Trust’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).  

The new transitional care area within the Special Care Baby Unit provides two bedded bays with a care cot and a bed alongside each other, and 24/7 access to support and monitoring from a team of experienced midwives, neonatal nurses, neonatal support workers and paediatricians. 

Elaine Evans, special care baby unit ward manager at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We’re very pleased to open this transitional care area, which will make such a difference to the mum’s experience, providing specialised care and support to mums of late-preterm infants without being separated from their baby. 

“Mums are able to stay with their baby which helps with bonding, breastfeeding, getting to know any additional needs of their special care baby, and the preparation for when they are ready to both go home”. 

Mums and babies who are considered for the new transitional area will need to meet criteria to ensure that the care is appropriate and safe for the baby.

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SCBU new transitional care area