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This page was last updated at 11:57AM on July 5, 2011

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Public Service

Kidz First Neonatal Unit

Description

The Neonatal Unit (NNU) at Middlemore Hospital provides care predominantly to the Counties Manukau region as well as providing extra capacity at peak demand times for regional and national overflow.  The Neonatal Unit provides Intensive Care (Level III) and Special Care (Level II) services and is an integral part of the continuum of services delivered by the Kidz First and Women’s Health Divisions of Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB). The joint General Manager of these two Divisions ensures that integration across both Divisions is achieved.
 
Thirty six cot spaces are equipped to provide flexible levels of care including negative pressure isolation facilities.
 
The multidisciplinary team comprises: nurses, from the neonatal nurse specialist to hospital aid range; medical staff at both senior and junior levels; allied health and support staff.
 
Several underlying principles govern the design and operation of the Unit. These include:
 
  • Baby and Family Centred Care
  • Continuity of Care
  • Developmentally Supportive Care
  • Clinical Practice Improvement
  • Multidisciplinary Team
  • Teaching role of the Unit
     
Families, and in particular parents, play an integral role in the care delivered to neonates. Facilities within the Unit reflect this philosophy through the provision of a range of areas including playroom, family lounge, education room, overnight accommodation for parents with critically ill babies and cot-side seating and visiting spaces.
 
Supporting staff by ensuring that the work environment contributes to work satisfaction is critical in attracting and retaining adequate numbers of high quality staff. Learning and research contribute to the Unit’s commitment to continually improving clinical practice.

Procedures / Treatments

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

    CPAP is used to help your baby’s breathing by keeping the lungs partially inflated.  This helps your baby to breathe easier.  It also helps get more oxygen in baby’s blood and stops the lungs collapsing when baby breathes out.  CPAP is an extremely safe and effective way to treat babies... More

  • Jaundice

    Your baby may need to be tested or treated for jaundice.  Many babies become jaundiced soon after birth.  Levels of jaundice we are concerned about depend on how old your baby is or if it was born prematurely... More

  • Low Blood Sugar

    Your baby may be tested or treated for low blood sugar... More

  • Meconium

    Your baby may be in the Neonatal Unit because they were exposed to meconium. Your baby is being treated or tested because of the risk of problems caused by meconium. Meconium is sometimes seen in the waters before the baby is born... More

  • Possible Infection

    Your baby may be tested or treated because of the risk of infection.  The usual reason for this check is if your baby has some problem like a temperature, fast breathing, lack of energy or poor feeding... More

Consultants

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Consultant
Consultant

Visiting Hours

 Parents are welcome at all times, however because of the risk of infection to our neonatal babies, visitors to the Neonatal Unit are restricted. 

  • Visiting is limited to 2.00pm - 8.00pm.
  • No more than two people at the cot side will be permitted at any given time.
  • Visitors must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
  • Siblings over 17 years of age may visit with a parent.
Parents and visitors may be asked to leave the room during ward rounds to give privacy to other babies.

Parents and visitors must wash their hands and use special hand gel before going into the baby’s room.

Please speak to the person in charge if you wish to make alternative arrangements to the above guidelines.

 
Cell phones MUST be switched off when coming into the Unit.
DO NOT VISIT if you have a cough, cold, flu, rash or recent diarrhoea.

 

Locations Information

Choose one of the locations above for address and contact information.