We have four transitional care beds for families when your baby or babies are well.  These rooms allow you important time to bond with your baby with the support of a midwife; so you have the confidence and ability to take care of your baby when you return home.

The Special care baby Unit & Transitional Care is a secure area for which there is a buzzer entry system. Parents will be able to gain entry to the unit using finger print recognition for the period of time their baby is being cared for in the unit.

Please ensure the door closes securely after you enter and don’t let others enter the unit with you.

Ward rounds take place daily between 09:30am and 12:30pm, but timings can vary. 

We encourage you to be present and be involved in the decision making about your baby.

Our unit is open to parents at all times.

Other Visitors are welcome to visit between 3pm-7pm but must be accompanied by one parent.  Two visitors and one parent are allowed at the cot space at the same time – visitors may swap over

Due to the risk of infection no children under the age of 16 are allowed to visit the unit unless they are siblings.

Visitors are asked to stay away if they are unwell. You are welcome to call the unit and check prior to your visit if you are unsure.

• There is a sitting room and kitchen available for parents on the unit (no visitors allowed). This contains, microwave and facilities to make tea and coffee. A fridge is also available to store food and juice etc. Please date and label all items. 

• There is also a restaurant located on level 0 or a coffee shop at the main entrance on level 1. We do not allow food or juice into the rooms with babies. 

• There is a water cooler located within the parents pantry. You may take water in with you.

• The hospital also has a Sanctuary which is located on the first floor.

We have a family flat located in the hospital grounds which is available for parents that wish to stay.  We will try and accommodate any parent who wishes to stay in the hospital whilst your baby is in our unit.

In some cases, your baby may be transferred to another hospital for further investigation, surgery or continuing care depending on the situation. You may experience mixed feelings about this move. This is perfectly natural, but the staff at the new hospital will be well qualified to give your baby the necessary care.

On a rare occasion, we may need to transfer your baby to another unit in order to make space for the care of sicker babies. If this occurs, we will make every effort to ensure your baby is moved to the nearest hospital. 

All the transfers will be performed by highly specialised and dedicated “Neonatal Transport Team” who are part of the Scottish Perinatal  Network.

See links below for information on neonatal units that you may be moved to:

• Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
• Edinburgh Simpsons Centre for Reproductive Health

We are very lucky that our onsite nursery is able to offer free sessions for brothers and sisters of babies in the neonatal unit. These are offered subject to availability but so far we have been able to offer a wide range of available sessions.

If this is something that would help you with childcare and give you more time to spend with your baby, please speak to any member of staff and they will happily call the nursery and check what sessions are available.