NICU

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Neonatal Centre is a 40 cot facility where babies born prematurely or who are ill receive special and intensive care treatment. Highly skilled  and dedicated nursing and medical staff work there using the most modern and advanced technology.

Between 15-20 per cent of newborn infants need to be admitted to the Neonatal Centre. The hospital also provides a regional and national neonatal service for premature infants born in other hospitals, and those with complex conditions. Many babies are small and/or premature and require special attention for their breathing and/or feeding. Depending on the reason for their admission, your baby may stay for a few hours, some days or even weeks or months.

Mothers at risk of delivering a premature or sick infant are encouraged to  visit the Neonatal Centre, along with their partners, prior to the expected delivery. They will be taken on a tour of the Centre and shown equipment that may be used in the care of their baby. Most couples who have made this visit agree that it is invaluable in alleviating the stress associated with unfamiliar surroundings if the need for their baby's admission arises.

In addition, members of staff have compiled the Coombe Baby Fax. This resource contains simple language and clear descriptions for everything a parent is likely to encounter while their baby is being care for in the Neonatal Centre. Baby Fax was funded by the Centre's Fundraising Committee and Abbott Laboratories Ireland and is available for download as a pdf here: Coombe Baby Fax

If you are a private or semi-private patient and your baby needs our care in the Neonatal Centre, baby will be treated as a private patient.