Neonatal units in hospitals specialise in the care of babies born early, with low weight or who have medical conditions that require specialised treatments. Neonatal literally means 'new born'. One in nine babies born in the UK will spend at least a few days in a neonatal unit which specialises in looking after preterm, small and sick babies. Some babies may have an infection and need antibiotics; others may need breathing support or monitoring, or may be suffering from other medical conditions. The length of a baby's stay may vary from days to weeks or months, depending on their needs.

Liverpool women's neonatal unit takes care of more than 1,000 babies and their families every year from all over the north west.

The neonatal unit is located within Liverpool women's crown street site where we house 44 cots; 12 for the intensive care of the newborn, 12 for high dependency and 20 for low dependency care. There are also 8 cots for transitional care that are situated on the maternity ward.