Regional Neonatal
Transport Service
What does the Neonatal Transport Team do?
The dedicated Transport Team transports babies from one
neonatal unit to another when it is necessary. The Team
all have an interest in transportation and have received
special training in the use of the transport equipment.
They care for the baby throughout the journey and ensure
the smooth running of the transport.
What is an 'emergency retrieval'?
An emergency retrieval is when an unwell baby needs to
be transferred from one hospital to another requiring specialist
care. The Transport Team travel in their designated ambulance
to 'retrieve' the baby. The aim of the team is to get to
the referring hospital as soon as possible and then stabilise
the baby ready for transfer to specialised facilities.
Will my baby be safe during the transfer?
The Transport Team will only move the baby from the referring
hospital when they are satisfied that the baby is well enough
for the journey.
The journey is usually rapid and safe. The Team, on arrival,
formally hand over the care of the baby to the receiving
hospital.
Will I be transferred too, to be with my baby?
We always aim that the mother and baby are cared for in
the same hospital. Mothers who are still inpatients at the
hospital where they delivered will be transferred to the
hospital as soon as they are well enough and an appropriate
bed is available.
Can I travel with my baby in the ambulance?
For reasons of safety, parents are not allowed to travel
in the back of the Transport ambulance. At the time of the
transport, the Team will, however, give parents detailed
directions to the Unit as well as general information about
the Unit.
What are 'emergency referrals'?
Occasionally, because of a baby's condition, it can be
necessary to refer the baby from a NICU to another hospital
(such as Great Ormond Street, London).These referrals are
made because some specialist care and therapies are only
available at other centres.
In most cases, our Transport Team will take the baby to
the receiving hospital but, sometimes, hospitals such as
Great Ormond Street send out their own transport team to
collect the baby.
What are 'back transfers'?
For practical reasons (visiting etc), it is usually best
if babies are cared for close to their parents home where
possible.
If a baby has transferred from another hospital, then every
effort will be made to get the baby back to that hospital
as soon as he/she is stable enough for transfer.
Sometimes, this can mean waiting for a cot space to become
clear at your nearest hospital. Once your baby is transferred
back, this unit will then provide the services to enable
your baby to get ready for home when the time is right.
I booked to have my obstetric care at Addenbrooke's but
my baby is being transferred elsewehere - why is this?
If you have booked to have your obstetric care in your
local hospital, and should your baby need care in the NICU
of that hospital, this care will automatically be given
there in the initial period - and hopefully for the length
of the baby's stay.
However, it might be necessary to transfer your baby to
another hospital for the following reasons: (a) because
he/she is sick and needs more help; (b) because your baby
is now improved and stable enough to transfer to another
level of care, which enables your NICU to accept other very
sick babies who need their help
You can feel confident that whichever unit cares for your
baby, they will provide excellent care.
Who will accompany my baby when he/she is taken back to
my local hospital?
At the time of transfer to your local hospital, a doctor
and nurse will accompany your baby in the ambulance if ventilation
support is required.
If your baby is stable but does not require ventilation
support, your baby will be accompanied by the transport
nurse alone.
Even though your baby is now stable, we are unable to transfer
parents in the same ambulance for safety reasons. Therefore,
if you are still a patient, your transfer will need to be
arranged separately.
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