Psychological Support on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

This leaflet aims to let families know about the psychology support available to families whose babies are admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Your baby’s stay on the SCBU can be a very difficult or unusual time. This may be your first experience of being a parent, or you may have other children to think about and care for. Your pregnancy or birth may have been challenging, and this may not be the start you expected.

Many parents describe their time on the SCBU as an “emotional rollercoaster”. You may feel guilty, scared, angry, helpless, hopeless, confused, exhausted and numb. You may also feel joy, excitement, relief, pride and love. There is no right or wrong way to feel. All of these reactions are natural responses to a challenging situation, and support is available if you need it.      

What does a psychologist do?

Psychologists are trained to help people understand how they feel, think and act. They offer a confidential space to talk about difficult feelings and find ways to cope. The psychologist can listen and support you with the stress you may be feeling on the SCBU.

Seeing a psychologist may be new for many parents. Meeting a psychologist can help with:

• Offloading your difficult thoughts and feelings.

• Making sense of what you have been through.

• Finding ways to cope with how you are feeling.

• Supporting your relationships.

• Thinking about your relationship with your baby.

• Helping you find further support after you leave the unit, if you need it.

The psychologist for the unit is Dr. Jess Collins. There is a poster with a photograph of Jess on the unit. Psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).

How do I book an appointment with the psychologist?

The psychologist aims to check in with all families while they are on the unit. If you feel you need support and would like an appointment, please speak to the nurse or doctor looking after your baby. Sometimes a member of your clinical team may suggest that you meet the psychologist if they feel extra support could be helpful.

The psychologist’s working days on the unit are typically Mondays and Thursdays.

Appointments can take place at your baby’s cot side, or in a private, quiet room on the unit. You can meet with the psychologist on your own or together with your partner or family. The psychologist supports parents and carers. If you require an interpreter, please let us know.

Using the psychology service is entirely your choice, and deciding not to will not affect your baby’s care in any way.

What happens to the information I share with the psychologist?

Any information that you share with the psychologist is confidential. This means it will not be shared without your permission unless there is a concern about risk of harm to your child, yourself or others. In those situations, information may be shared as necessary to keep you and others safe.

Notes from your conversations are kept separately from your baby’s medical notes, and cannot be accessed by the wider clinical team. A brief record is made in the medical notes so that the clinical team know you have met with the psychologist, but it does not include details of what you talked about.

Occasionally, if something you share is relevant to your baby or family’s care on SCBU, the psychologist may record this in your baby’s notes to help the team support you and your baby.

Contacts

If you have any questions about the psychology service at SCBU, please speak to the psychologist, ask your doctor or nurse, or speak to the ward clerk at the reception desk.

University Hospital of North Tees

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) – Ward 23
Telephone: 01642 382723
24 hours, 7 days a week

Other Sources of Support

Your GP
Please contact your GP for advice and support.

Your Health Visitor or Community Midwife
Please contact your Health Visitor or Community Midwife to learn more about their availability.

Impact on Teesside (NHS Therapy Service)
Telephone: 01642 573924
Website: https://www.impactonteesside.com/
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Crisis Team
Telephone: call NHS 111 and select (2) for the mental health option
24 hours, 7 days a week

Samaritans (Crisis Helpline)
Telephone: 116 123
24 hours, 7 days a week.

Bliss (Special Care Baby Charity)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.bliss.org.uk/

SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)
Telephone: 0808 164 3332
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sands.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 3:00pm and
Tuesday to Thursday, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Neonatal Play Group (for all families with neonatal experience)
Velocity Gymnastic and Trampolining Club, Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, TS23 2NB
Every Tuesday only from 10:00am to 11:30am

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).