Neonatal unit

Our Neonatal Unit

We provide medical and nursing care for babies born at 27 weeks gestation and older or twins born at 28 weeks gestation and older. Our unit provides intensive, high dependency, special, and transitional care. On arrival at the Neonatal Unit, all families receive an information pack. The Bliss website (www.bliss.org.uk) is a really useful resource that provides more general information about different aspects of neonatal care.

Some babies are born and looked after in a different Neonatal Unit. This may happen if your baby is born before 27 weeks or they are anticipated to need any form of surgery in the first days of their life. Occasionally, we may need to transfer your baby from Kirkcaldy to another Neonatal Unit in Scotland if more specialised care is required. There is a national neonatal transport team called ScotStar that will transfer your baby.

Repatriation

Repatriation is the transfer of a baby to a unit closer to home for continued medical care following a period of neonatal intensive care or specialist treatment elsewhere. We know that this can be a worrying time for families. To help you keep your baby and family at the centre of this process, we offer Teams meetings before transfer so we can get to know you and your baby.

Location, access and facilities

The Neonatal Unit is on level 1 of the phase 3 building at Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy. The closest car parks are car park A and car park B. The easiest access is through the Maternity entrance (at night, you will need to press the buzzer to gain access to the building). On entering the building, go straight ahead, and to the left is a lift that will take you to the first floor. The neonatal unit is on the left as you come out of the lift.

We have a secure entry system in place; please press the buzzer at the door to the Neonatal Unit. Parents and siblings can access the unit at any time. Visiting for others is from 2pm to 8pm. This is restricted to 2 extra people/day, with a maximum of 3 by the cot side at any one time. If you have other children, they will be provided with Sibling Packs to help them understand what is going on.

Within the Neonatal Unit, we have lockers for parent use. There is also a parents’ lounge with a fridge, microwave, and kettle. The parents’ lounge also has toilet and shower facilities. You can purchase food and drink at Costa Coffee, WHS Smith, and ‘Grab and Go’ located at the main entrance.

There is free WiFi available (no password and unlimited access). If you want to spend some time away from the Neonatal Unit, Ravenscarig Park, Beveridge Park, and Kirkcaldy Promenade are all a short drive away.

Staff on the Neonatal Unit

The Neonatal Unit has a wide range of staff who help with various aspects of your journey. Please watch the staff introduction video to meet the different members of our team and see how they can support your neonatal stay.

Feeding on the Neonatal Unit

We can provide breast pumps for use on the unit and will make sure you have access to one when you are at home. All our staff on the unit can support you with feeding issues or concerns. There is also an infant feed advisor, Abby Smyth (Abigail.smyth@nhs.scot), who can provide extra support to families.   

Community nursing service

The neonatal community nursing service supports families in preparing for discharge to the community and once your baby is home. If your baby has any ongoing health needs, such as home oxygen or heated mattress care, then the service will provide ongoing care and support at home. They can contacted by email: communityneonatalnurses@nhs.scot  

Parent support

In addition to the psychology team present during ward rounds, the Victoria Hospital has a chaplaincy service. This service can offer support to families of all faiths and those with no particular faith.

Young person’s family fund

Having a baby in the neonatal unit can bring extra expenses, and you can get help with travel costs and meals with the young person’s family fund. You can pick up a claim form from the staff in the unit. Claims can be submitted incrementally during an ongoing hospital stay, such as weekly or in full for the entire stay, up to three months, following discharge. You need to get the form signed by staff in the unit before taking it to the cash office in the hospital. You may need to submit receipts for petrol or travel costs with your form.