The Neonatal Community Team looks after babies
who have been discharged home to the Cambridge area and need
further follow-up. The team have a limited local 'patch' -
so if babies are discharged to a home outside this area, a
team that is local to that area are contacted.
The team consists of three neonatal nurses who specialise
in the home care of babies who have been on the NICU or on
Sara Ward at Addenbrooke's. Because they support mothers at
home, babies can often be taken home earlier than if they
were to receive 'routine' community healthcare.
What support can they provide?
Babies are discharged into the care of the Community Team
following a period of planning while the baby is still on
the NICU/Sara Ward. This only happens when the parents are
ready to take the next step. The Team can look after babies
in the community who:
They can also:
-
Smooth the parents' path between being in hospital and
returning home (with good discharge planning).
-
Visit parents in their own home and monitor the baby's
progress.
-
Liaise with the health visitor and general practitioner
(GP) to ensure that these staff are able to carry on supporting
the family in the community when the baby is discharged
from the care of the Neonatal Community Team.
The Community Team give parents a contact number for the
Team, and there is an answerphone for out-of-hours messages.
For urgent problems, parents are advised to contact the NICU
or Sara Ward (for transitional care) for advice. |
