The Wiggles: Social Distancing

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Thank You NICU

On any given day in RPA’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery around 40 of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients are being cared for.

Tiny babies, born prematurely (early) or very sick are in need of constant care.

It is an emotional experience for parents but our doctors, nurses and support staff are there to help them every step of the way.

Including our families is also really important.

“Having a baby in the NICU doesn’t mean you can’t touch your baby and doesn’t mean you can’t be involved in changing the baby’s nappies and bathing the baby,” said Dr Mark Greenhalgh, a neonatologist in RPA’s NICU.

“Our nursing staff are really good at making sure parents are able to be involved in the care of their child.”

Many babies receiving care in the NICU will be in hospital for a long time. Staff like to make this special for families by celebrating things like their 100-day “birthday”.

Justina Francis gave birth to baby Franklin when she was only 27 weeks pregnant.

“It was all a very terrifying experience, being our first pregnancy and not knowing what to really expect,” said Justina.

“But throughout our journey, we found the nursing staff and doctors to be such amazing people, their professionalism and kindness went a very long way.”

It took 14 weeks in hospital before Franklin’s parents were able to take him home.

“I look back at our experience and think how very, very lucky we were to have had Frankie at RPA,” said Justina.

“Franklin is our miracle baby, only made possible by the care given by staff at The RPA NICU.”

To find out more about the NICU at RPA click here.