Lister Neonatal Big Build! Creating a better experience for parents with poorly babies in neonatal care.

The Neonatal Unit at the Lister Hospital cares for over 900 poorly babies each year, with the average stay on the unit being 12 weeks. The unit is often at, or close to, the full capacity of 30 babies; with two visitors per baby allowed on the ward.

There is currently a small families lounge on our neonatal unit, which only has enough room for six visitors at a time. The unit becomes a home away from home for parents, due to the long periods babies spend in the units care. When combined with visiting family, or older siblings, the demand for this room currently far outweighs capacity. Making a difficult time just that little bit harder.

There are extremely limited cooking facilities available, meaning the parents have to contend with the additional costs of buying food and traveling away from the unit to purchase it. Also, there are no washing facilities for partners staying on the unit with the mother and baby.

All of this results in additional time spent away from the unit, during a period where parents would rather remain close by.