After the birth
Our postnatal wards are spaced over two floors to provide new parents and their babies with postnatal care until their discharge into the community.
Marina Ward: A nine-bedded ward located on the first floor with four-bedded bays and one single occupancy room. The ward has shared bathrooms and is located alongside Day Assessment Unit.
Alexandra Ward: A 15-bedded ward located on the third floor with a mix of five single occupancy rooms and four-bedded bays. This ward has shared bathrooms and is joined with the Neonatal Transitional Care Unit.
Visiting
One support person able to stay during day and overnight (see below for requirements).
Additional visiting
2-7pm, a maximum of two people per bedside at any one time. No under 18s, only children of the birthing person are permitted
Overnight visiting
At our Trust we recognise the importance of family, and we welcome one birth partner/companion to stay overnight on our postnatal wards.
Having additional support overnight can encourage family bonding and provide practical assistance for mothers with tasks such as baby care, obtaining refreshments and supporting in the early postnatal period.
To help us to keep our women/birthing people, their babies, and our staff safe at all times, we ask that you follow the guidance below. If you are unable to meet the conditions set out, you will not be able to stay overnight and will be asked to leave.
· One nominated partner or support person may stay overnight on the postnatal ward. There is to be no swapping of named person between the hours of 10pm and 8am.
· One wristband will be issued to the partner/support person, and this must be worn at all times.
· Nobody under the age of 18 is permitted to stay overnight as the nominated support person.
· Support persons are not permitted to use the hospital bed for sleeping/resting. Facilities are limited, and unfortunately, we are not able to provide beds or bedding. A chair is available at each bedside for rest.
· Please do not sleep on the floor – this poses a considerable health and safety risk to our staff and may delay or prevent care in an emergency.
· Meals are provided for women and birthing people only, and we do not provide meals to support persons. Unfortunately, we do not have facilities to cook, reheat or store food items and due to Health and Safety regulations, the kitchen is for staff use only.
· Visitors must not use patient toilets/wash facilities.
· You must remain appropriately and fully dressed at all times. (Please no pyjamas or night clothes). Shoes must be worn when walking around the ward (no socks/bare feet)
· Please respect the privacy of other patients, and do not wander around the ward. Do not take your baby off the ward, they must remain with the mother at all times unless separated for medical reasons.
· We politely request that telephone calls are not made between the hours of 10pm and 8am. Mobile phones should be silenced or switched off during this time. Loudspeakers should not be used at any time.
· Partners/support persons are asked to remain on the ward between the hours of 10pm and 8am, only leaving in exceptional circumstances. If you leave the ward between these times, you may not be permitted to return until after 8am.
· If you are a smoker, please be aware that you will not be permitted to leave the ward to smoke/vape between 10pm and 8am. Please also note that smoking is not permitted anywhere on the site.
· Please let staff know if you are leaving to go home so that we can update the fire safety log.
· In the event of an emergency, you may be asked to leave the ward at any time. Please follow the instruction of staff should you be asked to evacuate the ward.
· Please also be aware that staff must prioritise the care of our women and birthing people, and their babies. Therefore, at times there may be a short wait for the door to be answered or released for exit, however we will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible.
· The Trust has a zero tolerance approach to violent, disruptive, or aggressive behaviour. Any verbal or physical abuse towards our staff or patients, or behaviours that are deemed to compromise the safety or wellbeing of patients or staff will lead to an immediate request to leave the ward. If you are asked to leave, please do so straight away. Our Security Team can be called to assist at any time.
· We reserve the right to decline or withdraw permission to stay on the ward at any time.
Contact details
01895 279459 or 01895 279934.
Ward Manager
Matron
Katherine Coles