Thursday, 28 June 2012
Singleton Hospital’s neonatal unit has been temporarily closed to new admissions.
Singleton Hospital’s neonatal unit has been temporarily closed to new admissions because demand over the last few days has been very high, and the unit is full. This situation can change within a short period of time and will be closely monitored.
This is also having a direct effect on the hospital’s general maternity unit, with some high-risk mothers-to-be being diverted to other hospitals with open neonatal units.
A neonatal unit treats sick babies. And while the vast majority of babies born in maternity units are fit and well and don’t need a neonatal unit, as a precaution mothers who are deemed high risk should give birth where there is access to a neonatal unit - in case their baby needs it.
Because the Singleton neonatal unit is full, some high risk mothers-to-are being sent to other hospitals where neonatal units are open. In most cases this is ABM’s Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. However, on occasions they may require to be sent to an alternative hospital, if their babies require higher level of intensive care, however, this would be on rare occasions.
Senior doctors, nurses and midwives are working closely to consider each individual mother and baby carefully, and safety is the main consideration when a choice is made over where they give birth.
As the conditions of the babies in the neonatal unit changes (babies may no longer need to be in the unit), the situation is being reassessed.
Currently some women are able to give birth in Singleton maternity unit. However, mums or babies with more complex problems may still need to be transferred elsewhere for their care.
We appreciate this can cause anxiety and would urge any pregnant women who are concerned, or require midwifery or medical care, to contact as usual the numbers they have been issued antenatally.
The neonatal service does experience peaks and troughs, and we are currently monitoring the frequency of these peaks.
A neonatal unit treats sick babies. And while the vast majority of babies born in maternity units are fit and well and don’t need a neonatal unit, as a precaution mothers who are deemed high risk should give birth where there is access to a neonatal unit - in case their baby needs it.
Because the Singleton neonatal unit is full, some high risk mothers-to-are being sent to other hospitals where neonatal units are open. In most cases this is ABM’s Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. However, on occasions they may require to be sent to an alternative hospital, if their babies require higher level of intensive care, however, this would be on rare occasions.
Senior doctors, nurses and midwives are working closely to consider each individual mother and baby carefully, and safety is the main consideration when a choice is made over where they give birth.
As the conditions of the babies in the neonatal unit changes (babies may no longer need to be in the unit), the situation is being reassessed.
Currently some women are able to give birth in Singleton maternity unit. However, mums or babies with more complex problems may still need to be transferred elsewhere for their care.
We appreciate this can cause anxiety and would urge any pregnant women who are concerned, or require midwifery or medical care, to contact as usual the numbers they have been issued antenatally.
The neonatal service does experience peaks and troughs, and we are currently monitoring the frequency of these peaks.
Ends