Transitional Care Unit

You and your baby have been admitted to the Transitional Care Unit on Ward 22.

What is Transitional Care?

Your baby has been identified as needing extra care. The need for this extra care may be for a number of reasons and your allocated Midwife will explain these to you.

Transitional Care aims to reduce unnecessary admissions to the Neonatal Unit. It helps to support ‘at risk’ babies and keep them with their mothers.

Who will look after me and my baby?

You will be cared for by a midwife unless a doctor is required.

Your baby will be under the care of one or more of the following:

• Infant Feeding Specialist Midwives.

• Midwifery students

• Neonatal nurses

• New-born hearing screeners

• Midwifery assistants

• Healthcare assistants

• Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP) (A neonatal nurse with advanced training)

• A named Paediatrician (a doctor who specialises in the treatment of babies).

Your baby will be reviewed each day and a plan of care will be explained to you at all times.

Can I have someone to stay with me?

We operate a strict visiting policy, and you will be given important information to read. You will then be asked to sign a document confirming that you have read this information and agree to follow the guidance.

Your partner or companion may be with you between 8:00am and 8:00pm.

Birthing partners may swap; however, we request that this is limited to once within a 24‑hour period and agreed with the caring midwife. This helps to limit access in and out of the unit for security purposes. Baby’s siblings can visit from 10:00am.

Other available visiting times are:

• 1:00pm to 2:00pm

• 6:00pm to 7:00pm

We ask that during the visiting hours, visitors keep the noise levels down.

How long will my baby need to be in the Transitional Care Unit?

Each baby is different. The length of stay depends on your baby’s needs and their progress. This should be discussed with you by the paediatric team looking after your baby.

Once your baby has been discharged from the Transitional Care Unit, they may be discharged home under the care of the Community Midwife. Alternatively, they may be transferred to the Postnatal area on Ward 22 for further observations before being discharged home.

Sometimes if your baby develops the need for extra care, they may be transferred to the Special Care Baby Unit. This will be discussed with you by your medical team. You will still be able to see your baby whilst they are receiving care and there are facilities for you to stay with your baby if you are well enough to be discharged from maternity care.

What should visitors be aware of?

Visitors are asked to consider the rights and privacy of all patients.

General Visiting Rules

• Only two visitors are allowed at a bedside at any one time.

• Children under 16 years must always be supervised by an adult visitor.

• Anyone causing a disturbance may be asked to leave.

• You may be asked to leave the bedside or ward at any time if requested by staff.

• Hospital property must be respected and must not be damaged or misused.

• Do not visit if you have symptoms of infection (e.g., cold, sore throat, tummy bug) or if you feel unwell.

• Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol gel every time you enter or leave a ward.

• Visitors should not sit on the patient’s bed.

• Visitors have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect; we ask that staff are treated in the same way.

Zero Tolerance to Abuse

Harassment of NHS staff by patients or visitors is both a civil and criminal offence. Everyone working in or providing services to the NHS has the right to do so without fear of violence, aggression or abuse.

The NHS is committed to tackling all forms of violence in the workplace. We will not tolerate:

• Physical violence

• Verbal abuse

• Racial or discriminatory behaviour

• Threatening or intimidating conduct

Under Section 119 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, it is an offence to cause a nuisance or disturbance to NHS staff on hospital premises. This legislation allows the police and authorised NHS staff to use reasonable force to remove individuals if necessary.

Visitors using offensive, violent or abusive behaviour will be removed from the premises. Incidents may be reported to the police and the NHS Protect Legal Protection Unit. The Trust may support criminal or civil proceedings, and any legal costs incurred may be recovered from the individual responsible.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact:

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Transitional Care Unit/Antenatal/Postnatal Ward
Telephone: 01642 382722
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Patient Experience Team (PET)

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.

This service is based at the University Hospital of North Tees but also covers The University Hospital of Hartlepool, our community hospitals and community health services.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Out of Hours
If you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).