Ward 21 - Transitional Care
Transitional care is situated on Level 2. Entry for parents and visitors is via ward 22.
Our direct dial telephone number is 01698 366 128
It is appreciated if only one member of your family telephones the ward and acts as a coordinator, passing information to other relatives and friends.
We appreciate that being in hospital with a baby requiring extra care can often be an anxious time for you, your family and friends. We hope that this information about our area will be of help.
Transitional care is designed so that babies who require minimal special care or assistance can stay with and be cared for by their mother is a specially designated ward under support and guidance of appropriately trained staff. This prevents the mother and baby from being separated. In order be admitted to transitional care the mother should be prepared to stay with her baby until both are discharged home.
If you do not understand what is happening to you or your baby or you have any worries or questions, please ask a member of staff.
Our Staff
Midwifery Staff
The Senior Charge Midwife (wearing a navy blue tunic) is responsible for all aspects of your care and should you or your family have any concerns or questions the Senior Charge Midwife will attempt to answer these.
All Senior Charge Nurses/Midwives have undertaken additional training to ensure ward cleanliness and that all staff within the ward work to an expected standard.
The Charge Midwife leads a team of qualified midwives (wearing cornflower blue tunics with blue trim), nursery nurses and clinical support workers (wearing pale blue tunics) who are trained in the care of small babies with extra needs. They are there to support, advise and guide you in the care of baby and look after the mother in the postnatal period.
Medical staff
If you need to be seen or ask questions about your postnatal care then doctors are available every day to come to transitional care.
Your baby will be cared for by the doctors from the neonatal unit who will come to transitional each day for a ward round in order to make decisions about you babies progress. Please feel free to ask to talk to any of these doctors or midwives if you have any questions or concerns.
If you would like to speak with a doctor in private, this can be arranged through midwifery staff.
Other staff
You may see many other health professionals working together to care for you including physiotherapists, dieticians and pharmacists. Wtihin the maternity unit you may also see the maternity coordinator, ( navy blue tunic) who is responsible for coordinating clinical activity throughout the maternity unit.
Visiting
Visiting is welcome at the following times:
- Partners 9am - 9pm (except when clients are in labour visiting is anytime)
- General public, family and friends 1:30pm - 3pm and 7pm - 8pm daily (except partners are encouraged to bring in other siblings earlier at 6:30pm)
All visitors are welcome. Four people including the parents are allowed around the bed at any one time but visitors can swap over.
Infection Control
We ask that both you and your visitors use the hand disinfectant (alcohol hand gel) which is available in every ward. We would also ask that your visitors use the chairs provided and do not sit on the bed. This is to reduce the risk of cross – infection especially in vulnerable babies.
For your comfort
- Cameras and video equipment, including mobile phones, should not be used on the ward unless permission has been given by nursing staff
- Meals are served at approximately the following times:
- Breakfast: from 8am - 9am
- Lunch: from 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Evening meal: from 5pm - 6pm
If you miss a meal, a member of the nursing staff will order a meal for you.
You will select your own meals each day (for the following day) from a menu. Please do not carry hot drinks around the ward.
- At each bedside there is a nurse call system.
- You will need a supply of toiletries, including an adequate supply of maternity pads and nappies for your baby. The lockers are small and therefore we would ask that you do not keep excessive amounts of clothing.
On discharge from the ward
You will be required to make arrangements for your own transport home. Please ensure that you have adequate warm clothing for your baby.
Stop Smoking Service
Since 1 August 2008, smoking has been banned in all NHS Lanarkshire grounds. It means people are no longer allowed to light up anywhere inside NHS Lanarkshire premises or within its grounds – including areas around hospital, clinic and health centre entrances, and in vehicles parked on NHS premises.
The revised policy reinforces NHS Lanarkshire’s aim of promoting and protecting the health of both the public and NHS staff.
If you want to give up smoking, call our helpline on 08452 17 77 07 or text ‘Advice’ to 81066.