West Middlesex Hospital baby unit upgraded to deal with more specialist care

Cutting the ribbon to celebrate the redesignation of the neonatal unit at West Middlesex Hospital

Supporting babies who need greater care closer to home

The neonatal service at West Middlesex University Hospital has been upgraded.

Previously a Level 1 Special Care Baby Unit, being redesignated as a Level 2 unit means the team can now care for babies born at lower gestations and birthweights, as well as those requiring high-dependency and short-term intensive care.

The change will enable more babies to receive the specialist care they need closer to home, reducing the need for transfers to other hospitals and supporting greater continuity of care for families.

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The Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Hospital Trust says the milestone also strengthens the neonatal and maternity pathway at West Middlesex and reflects the dedication and collaboration of colleagues across the service.

Claire Davidson, Interim Director of Midwifery said:

“Becoming a Level 2 Local Neonatal Unit is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of our brilliant team, who have worked incredibly hard to make this possible.

“It means we can provide a higher level of care for babies who need additional support, including short-term intensive care, feeding support and non-invasive ventilation.

“By reducing the need for babies to be transferred elsewhere, we can support parents to stay close to their baby and each other, improving the experience for families during their neonatal journey.”