Maternity and Neonatal Redesign Programme

Through the Maternity and Neonatal Redesign Programme, we are taking forward plans to expand our neonatal facilities at the Queen’s Medical Centre.  The construction of the new neonatal unit which is scheduled to begin in January 2024 will take around 10 months and we hope to move into the new expanded unit in December 2024.  This will give us 21 more cots, taking the total number to 38, and will create a better working environment for our staff and more space and privacy for families.

Nottingham University Hospitals provides care for premature babies and their families at both the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, and we are the main Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for this part of the East Midlands.  At the moment, pregnant women who should be able to access neonatal care for their babies at Nottingham, and some babies who are born prematurely, have to be transferred to other hospitals in the East Midlands or even further afield because we do not have enough available cots locally.  Thanks to this expansion programme, that situation will be much less likely in the future.

The expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Queen’s Medical Centre will include intensive care, high dependency and low dependency cots.  The neonatal service at City Hospital will become what is known as a ‘Local Neonatal Unit’ (LNU), where babies can be supported in intensive care, before being transferred to the Queen’s Medical Centre for longer term care if needed.  The City Hospital Neonatal Unit will reduce down to eight cots so we will have an overall net increase of 13 cots.

To enable the expansion of the QMC neonatal unit, the current unit has temporarily moved to within the Nottingham’s Children Hospital Surgical Unit (NCHSU) on B floor in West Block from September 2023.   We undertook building works to ensure that NCHSU had the necessary requirements to allow the neonatal unit to continue to give the same level of medical and surgical neonatal intensive care to the babies of Nottingham and out network hospitals. 

The temporary relocation of the QMC neonatal unit has not affected the number of cots we have available for babies within Nottingham or those babies in the East Midlands requiring neonatal intensive care.  In addition, parents will continue to be welcome on the unit at any time.

Neonatal decant update

Update for patients and the public on the Maternity and Neonatal Redesign

In September 2023, construction will begin to expand the neonatal unit at the
Queen’s Medical Centre. Currently there is not enough capacity across both QMC
and City Hospital neonatal units to care for the babies in Nottingham and babies
within the region who require specialist intensive care delivered in Nottingham. This
expansion, known as the Maternity and Neonatal Redesign, will allow these babies to
remain in Nottingham without needing to be transferred to other neonatal units.


Whilst the new expanded neonatal unit is under construction, the current neonatal
unit will be situated within the Nottingham Children’s Hospital Surgical Unit (NCHSU)
on B floor in West Block. This is just beyond the main entrance, café and shop area.
The NCHSU has the necessary environment to allow the neonatal unit to continue to
give the same level of medical and surgical neonatal intensive care to the babies of
Nottingham and our network hospitals. Construction of the expanded unit will take
around 16 months and aims to be completed in December 2024.


To prepare the NCHSU space for the neonatal unit, the children’s surgical team and
services have moved to new locations on QMC campus and will continue to offer
their usual level of service and care.


Construction work will take place in NCHSU in preparation for the neonatal unit
to move in and this work will be completed in September 2023. The move of the
neonatal unit will not affect the number of cots we have available to care for babies
requiring neonatal intensive care in Nottingham and in the East Midlands and
parents will continue to be welcome on the unit at any time.


There will be updated signage to direct families to the new location of the neonatal
unit. Volunteer services are present at our main reception to offer directions and
maps will also be available. We have also created a helpful walkthrough video to
show visitors how to find the new location of the neonatal unit.


The temporary move of the QMC neonatal unit will not affect how the neonatal
unit at the City Hospital works, which will continue to offer medical intensive care to
babies in Nottingham and within our network of hospitals.

 

New neonatal unit map for parents v2.pdf [pdf] 595KB

 

Construction update

Exciting progress on construction of expanded Neonatal Unit

Newly released photos from Nottingham University Hospitals show the progress of the construction of the expanded Neonatal Unit at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).

Plans to provide an additional 21 neonatal cots at the Queen’s Medical Centre Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were unveiled in January as construction work commenced.

The project will see the unit almost triple in size to 2,000m2 and increase the number of intensive, high dependency and special care cots from 17 to 38, as well as improving the experience for both staff and families on the unit.

The latest photos released today show the progress which has already been made, including the full demolition of the old unit in East Block, the preparation and levelling of the floor, and putting up partitions for the new internal walls.

Jenni Twinn, Director of the Maternity and Neonatal Programme, said: “Construction work is now well underway and it is exciting to see the new unit beginning to take shape.

“Once the old Neonatal Unit and former offices in the area we are expanding into had been demolished, it was impressive to see the vast space the new Neonatal Unit will cover, and which we know will considerably improve the experience for both our staff and families on the unit. 

“Looking ahead, works will shortly begin on setting out the lighting and ventilation grilles for the unit. This will ensure appropriate ventilation in all areas and help us to provide a calming and soothing environment through a variety of lighting options, including colour and levels of brightness, in both clinical and non-clinical areas.

“We are pleased that work is progressing at pace and that we remain on track for our planned timeline which will see us open to families in December 2024.”

Following relocation  to the new, expanded unit at QMC, the Neonatal Unit at City Hospital will become a ‘Local Neonatal Unit’, where babies can continue to receive high dependency and special care and be managed in intensive care for up to 48 hours, before being transferred to the QMC for longer term care where needed. 

In addition, a small number of specialist deliveries of those who are anticipated to need surgical care and of those who are the most preterm, will be planned to take place at QMC.  This will be on a case by case basis, following national recommendations, to enable the best outcomes for our most vulnerable babies.  All such cases will be discussed with the families during midwife and consultant reviews.

MNR Construction image MNR Construction image MNR Construction image MNR Construction image MNR Construction image  

2023 / 2024 Roadmap

February 2023 - NHS England approve the programme and funding secured.

May 2023 - Paediatric surgery services move to temporary locations to allow for the temporary relocation of the neonatal service while building work is carried out.

September 2023 - Neonatal Service moves to temporary location. Construction begins on the expanded neonatal unit.

November 2024 - Construction work completed.

December 2024 - New neonatal facility opens and first patients welcomed.

 

Neonatal Unit route videos

Route videos to the new neonatal unit

To help with finding the route to the new neonatal unit we have developed videos that provide directions from both the hospital main entrance and from the tram bridge entrance.  These videos can be viewed via the following links:

Finding the new neonatal unit from the main entrance at QMC

 

Finding the new neonatal unit from the tram bridge at QMC

 

 

Current Opportunities

Calling all qualified children’s, adult and learning difficulties nurses - we’re expanding and need you! 

Come and join us in this historical city, a great place to live, work and enjoy the rich culture that Nottingham has to offer.

Do you want a career with growth, progression and empowerment?  There has never been a more exciting time to join our neonatal team as we expand our neonatal service. 

We’re looking for compassionate, ambitious, and forward thinking people to join our team.  With so many opportunities for self-development and progression we need people who want to learn and inspire others.  We need people who have a voice and want to use it to drive positive change and people who love a challenge and want to be part of transformation.

Your skills and talents as a Nurse will help ensure our babies, and families receive the unparalleled quality care they deserve and in return, you’ll find a rewarding career full of opportunity and open doors.  When you work at NUH, you’re not just helping families – you’re part of one too.

We provide care for tertiary level neonatal care for premature babies and their families at Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, we are the north hub in the East Midlands for neonatal intensive care.  We are proud to offer both medical and surgical intensive care for extremely premature and very sick infants, as well as having an integrated outreach team in place to support babies and families once they return home.

To view a copy of our recruitment brochure click here.

If you’re thinking of joining us and would require support with relocating please contact us for a discussion.

Charitable appeal and fundraising

As part of its Big Appeal, Nottingham Hospitals Charity will be funding several enhancements for the new unit.  These include specialist training areas, equipment and improvements to make the whole environment, and particularly the family areas and parent accommodation, as welcoming as possible for families while their premature or seriously ill babies are being cared for on the unit.

The appeal is being supported by Nottinghamshire and England cricket legend Stuart Broad, and his mum Carole, who are official ambassadors for the Big Appeal. The cause is close to their hearts, after Stuart was cared for on the Neonatal Unit as a baby.

People across the East Midlands can support the Big Appeal by making a donation, taking part in one of Nottingham Hospitals Charity’s fundraising events, holding their own event, or pledging a gift in their will.  To find out more about the Big Appeal or to make a donation, please visit www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk/bigappeal

Stuart Broad image

MNR Frequently Asked Questions

Maternity and Neonatal Redesign frequently asked questions for parents – Updated May 2024

 

Why has the Neonatal Unit moved from East to West Block?

As part of the Maternity and Neonatal Redesign we are expanding the QMC Neonatal Unit from 17 to 38 cots.  To enable this to happen we are currently undertaking some construction works which should be completed by December 2024.  The current Neonatal Unit at the QMC has therefore been moved while this work is being undertaken.

 

Will the level of care that my baby receives be affected by the move to a new temporary, unit?

The temporary relocation of the QMC Neonatal Unit will not affect the level of care that babies currently receive.  The Neonatal Unit at the City Hospital will continue to offer medical intensive care to babies in Nottingham, as well as within our network of hospitals.  Parents will continue to be welcome on the unit at any time.

 

Will I be able to stay with my baby on the unit/can I stay overnight at the hospital?

Parents are welcome on the unit at any time.  There are six dedicated parent rooms on B26, and we are hoping to gain access to further parent rooms in the Children’s Hospital at the QMC.

 

Are the visiting rules the same or different on the new, temporary unit?

Visiting rules are exactly the same as they have previously been with parents being welcome on the unit at any time, and there is access to a dedicated parents’ kitchen and sitting room.  Siblings are also able to visit. 

 

Does the service to provide a meal allowance for parents during their baby’s stay on the unit?

Parents present on the unit will receive a daily meal allowance during their baby’s stay.  The value of the vouchers are £5 each before 12noon and £9 in the afternoon. They can be used in the restaurant on D Floor.

 

What bathroom facilities are available for parents on the new, temporary unit?

Parents have full access to bathroom facilities without having to leave the new unit.

 

Is the vCreate contact service available on the new, temporary unit?

The vCreate contact service is still available to families on the new unit.  This allows families to be kept up-to-date on their baby’s care and progress if they need to spend time away from the unit.

 

Will parents continue to receive resuscitation training following the move to the unit new, temporary unit and where will this be held?

Parents continue to be offered resuscitation training as part of the process of their baby being discharged.  The timing and location will be confirmed with parents when training is being scheduled.

 

Are there any infection, prevention and control benefits with the move to the new, temporary unit?

There is more space around and between cots on the new unit.  This should help to ensure that infections are not easily spread and that babies are better protected from infection.

 

Has support from the home care team been affected by the move to a new, temporary unit?

The home care team continue to deliver a seven-day service, supporting families with the discharge of their baby, and then visiting babies at home following discharge.

 

What other help and support is available for parents on the new, temporary unit?

We hold coffee and chat sessions for parents in the sitting room from 1-2.30pm every Tuesday afternoon, to provide support for parents on the unit.

 

Is the new, temporary unit easy to find, has signage been updated?

Signage has been updated to direct staff, patients and visitors to the new unit.  The volunteer wayfinding team are also on hand to provide directions.

 

Will there be a lot of noise during construction works?  Will this be too loud for my baby?

There may be some noise from the construction works heard on the labour suite.  This will be carefully monitored and discussed weekly by clinical teams, to ensure that noise levels are kept to a minimum. 

 

Have contact telephone numbers changed?  How will I know what the new numbers will be?

All contact telephone numbers have remained the same.