There are three main reasons why most babies are transferred from one hospital to another:
In addition to these, sometimes babies that have not yet been discharged need to go for outpatient appointments in specialist clinics. Our team takes them to the appointment and brings them back.
Whatever the reason for transferring your baby, the team looking after them will always explain to you why they need to move, and where they are moving to. These conversations should take place before our team arrives (in most cases), so there’s plenty of time for you to ask questions.
Higher level care
The most common reason babies are moved is because they need a higher level of care than the unit they are in is able to provide.
Neonatal units are classed as NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), LNU (Local Neonatal Unit), and SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit). Each are aimed at providing specific levels of care.
Specialist care
On some occasions babies need to be moved because they have been born with (or developed) a heart or surgical condition that requires surgery or specialist review.
In the North West we have two specialist surgical and cardiac centres: Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, and St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.
Closer to home
When babies start to get better, and they no longer need higher levels of care (but they’re still not quite ready to go home), we want to make sure that they are as close to home as possible.
If they are not in their local unit then chances are they will be moved there when their condition is right (and there’s space for them).
Levels of care
SCBU
Special Care Baby Unit
Aimed at babies who do not need intensive care. You may hear this called low dependency by staff. Normally they won’t have babies below 32 weeks gestation.
Babies on these units could be there for monitoring, temperature/oxygen/blood sugar support, feeding support, or other reasons.
This level of care can also be provided at LNUs and at NICUs when babies are there because it is their local unit or there are no SCBU beds available.
LNU
Local Neonatal Unit
Aimed at babies who may need elements of intensive care. Depending on the unit they could have babies with gestations as low as 28 week.
Babies on these units could be there for short term intensive care, short term ventilation (breathing support), nutritional support using medication, or other reasons.
This level of care can also be provided at NICUs when babies are there because it is their local unit or there are no SCBU or LNU beds available.
NICU
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Aimed at babies who do need intensive care. Gestation can be below 28 weeks.
Babies on these units could be there for ventilation (breathing support), heartbeat/blood pressure support, surgery, or other reasons.
If you’re unsure about anything just ask your local team
You may hear different terms used in different places (such as “level 3” when talking about NICUs). We know that it can get confusing so do please ask your local team as many questions as you need to so that you understand.