Each year The Bays Hospital Special Care Nursery (SCN) provides the utmost specialist care for more than 140 unwell, premature or babies needing additional monitoring.
By: THE BAYS HEALTHCARE GROUP
Due for completion in August, the new purpose-built, state-of-the-art Level II Special Care Nursery will feature five special care cots for sick, premature and low birth weight babies with clinical conditions requiring specialist monitoring and care. The nursery will have a dedicated resuscitation room, allowing for greater privacy for families.
The Special Care Nursery is part of a $6 million maternity redevelopment project that will feature ten purpose built maternity rooms and three birthing suites.
Parents who spent time in our old Special Care Nursery will recall that it was, at times, a tight squeeze without dedicated space for families. Space for staff was also limited and while nurses do a great job providing a high level of care, the new nursery with extra cots and the latest advanced medical emergency equipment is required to service the fast-growing regional population.
The new Special Care Nursery will have a greatly expanded floorspace, with individual pods where parents can feed and spend time with their baby in privacy.
The Special Care Nursery is also a place where parents can receive incredible support, warmth and care from experienced SCN nurses, midwives and medical staff who can assist them through what can be an extremely stressful and emotional time.
These enhanced capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment will minimise the need to transfer critically ill babies to a tertiary hospital, ensuring that the majority of premature and low birth weight babies born at The Bays are able to receive the care they need without delay.
Each individual purpose-built maternity room, will feature an ensuite, baby bath, more family-friendly areas and greater privacy and sound-proofing. Parents of special needs babies will be able to stay close to their newborns, protecting the natural bonding experience between mother and child during what can potentially be a very stressful time.
The Bays maternity team are extremely excited about the new Special Care Nursery and believe it will set a new standard of care for babies and families on the Mornington Peninsula.
The Bays Hospital has provided a reputable maternity service for almost 80 years, with experienced teams of midwives and mothercraft nurses providing support during the birth of nearly 500 babies delivered each year.
The Bays Hospital is the only private hospital in Victoria that holds an accredited Baby-Friendly Health Accreditation. The Baby-Friendly Health Initiative is a global effort launched by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
The Bays is a community-owned, not for profit organisation and receives no direct funding assistance from the Government. Community support allows us to keep up with the latest medical developments, purchase equipment, and maintain a comfortable, supportive environment for patients and visitors.
For more information on The Bays Hospital Special Care Nursery and maternity services visit www.thebays.com.au or call 5975 2009.