State-of-the-art new unit completed at East Surrey Hospital

The unit is now fully operational thanks to a major £8.5m+ expansion by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH).

The revamp includes increasing the number of cots by 25 per cent and doubling the unit’s intensive care/high dependency capacity.

A SASH spokesman said: “The space around the incubators has quadrupled in size giving room for both parents to sit by their baby with a clearly defined personal space marked by different floor colouring.

“While this space was in the plans prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has the added benefit of making social distancing in the unit far easier.”

Approximately 500 premature and sick babies need neonatal support at East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, each year.

The unit now has a comfortable expressing room for parents, a quiet room for when people would like to step out of the clinical environment and two side rooms with en-suite facilities.

Additional state-of-the-art incubators which allow parents to record their voice, heartbeat or a story for their baby have also been added.

The spokesman added: “Pendants attached to the ceiling now hold vital equipment such as monitors, pumps and computers, leaving the floor space clear and uncluttered. The equipment can easily be moved to allow parents greater access to their baby.

“All incubators and cot spaces have a natural light source, in addition to new lighting with sensitive controls meaning that babies gradually gain awareness of day and night to aid their development.”

Ingrid Marsden, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s neonatal matron, said: “This new unit is already making such a difference to new parents and their babies. It’s so modern and spacious – parents and staff are delighted. The enhanced equipment makes the experience for babies and parents much better, and with the support of SASH Charity we’ll be going even further.”

Michael Wilson CBE, chief executive of SASH added: “We provide care for 4,500 births every year so it is vital that we have the very best facilities for those who need extra support. We now have a genuinely five-star unit and we are delighted to have been able to create it for local families.”

Thanks to separate funding from SASH Charity’s Olive’s Appeal, there is bespoke décor throughout, offering a friendlier and less daunting environment.

The funding is also being used to create an additional family room and to purchase additional top-of-the-range incubators.

The appeal has already raised over £100,000 and is continuing to ensure the new unit is kitted out with extras that go over and above for families. To find out more or donate at www.olivesappeal.org