A new £10m facility at Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital is set to enhance care for the region’s most vulnerable babies.
The newly upgraded Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) has expanded the neonatal service’s capacity by five spaces and now offers parents the option to stay overnight with their babies in more comfortable settings. Previously, the unit was confined to a single room within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The SCBU now occupies a dedicated area on the floor above, featuring 12 cot spaces across three rooms and four family-integrated care (FIC) rooms. The modern facility aims to support babies born after 32 weeks of pregnancy and weighing at least 1.5kg, providing a step-down care service from the NICU. It also treats extremely premature infants from 22 weeks and babies transferred directly from maternity services.
One of the first to benefit from the new unit is Willis Wilton, born at just 28 weeks after his mother, Chloe Dawkins, 31, from Southampton, went into early labour. Willis initially needed respiratory support, which was gradually reduced as his condition improved.
Chloe shared her experience, saying, “It was a shock when I went into labour so early, and we were very worried about Willis. There were ups and downs, but the staff have been incredible, offering not just medical care, but emotional support too. Willis is doing much better now, and when he ‘graduated’ to the special care ward, we knew he was on the mend.”
She also praised the new facility: “The ward has a calming, home-like feel, which makes a huge difference to families. Although it’s still a clinical space, it feels warm and relaxing, helping you stay calm during a stressful time.”
Amanda Gorse, senior sister at the SCBU, said, “This unit is going to be a game-changer for our neonatal service. It provides a beautiful environment and allows families to play an active role in their baby’s care.”
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