Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

We are a Level 1 unit providing special care for babies at Conquest Hospital.

What is a Level 1 Unit: There are different types of neonatal units in the NHS, and they are named depending on the level of specialist care they offer. To find out more about the different types of unit please visit – how does neonatal care work?

We provide specialist care based on a family centered approach for newborn babies needing extra help and support and who require specialist nursing care. This includes term babies who are small for gestational age and premature babies.

The unit has four high dependency and intensive cots (nursery 1) and eight special care cots (nursery 2). We also have an outreach team who visit babies in the community once they are discharged (mostly preterm babies). Transitional care (where you and your baby stay together) happens on the postnatal ward, this is where you and your baby stay together to be cared for, it means your baby is well enough to stay with you with support from neonatal staff.

There are many different needs for babies admitted to the SCBU. When your baby is admitted, you will have many questions, and our team will support you and encourage you to be involved in your baby’s care.

Virtual tour of our unit

We understand that having your baby being cared for on SCBU can be a stressful time for parents and families. If your baby is going to be or has been admitted onto SCBU, or if you are coming to visit a baby on SCBU, you may find it helpful to familiarise yourself in advance with where the unit is and how to get there.

The Neonatal Network for Kent, Surrey and Sussex recently completed a video tour (below) of how to get to our SCBU, the facilities available on the unit and other helpful information. Press the play button in the bottom left to see a walkthrough from our front door to and then around the unit, or click on one of the other icons to explore specific areas of the tour directly.

Trigger warning

If you are a parent or carer and wish to use our virtual tour to explore our unit, please make sure you are in a safe space and feel emotionally ready to revisit the unit. Some parents have told us that revisiting the unit, even years after your baby was cared for by the SCBU team, can bring back emotional memories, so please take care.

Other units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Neonatal Unit Virtual Tours – explore virtual tours of other units in our region.

Neonatal Transport Service – explore Kent, Surrey and Sussex Neonatal Transport Service

Access to the unit

Parents are welcome to always be with their baby and the neonatal team will be there to welcome and support you with your journey.

Mothers and birthing people who are an inpatient have direct access to the unit via the delivery suite and postnatal ward without needing to leave the unit.

Non inpatient mums or birthing people, non birthing parents, visitors and supporters should enter via the main SCBU entrance, please use the main hospital entrance on Level 3 and follow signage to Level 1 where the unit is located and use the bell located outside SCBU. Please note the exit by the delivery suite is for Emergency use only.

Admission to the unit

When your baby is admitted to Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) this can be a very stressful time. We are here to support you and keep you informed about your babies care.

Nurses, doctors and other colleagues will be initiating the care your baby receives. We will always encourage parents to have an active role in their baby’s care. Your baby will receive care tailored to their individual needs and requirements. While your baby is in SCBU they will have routine tests and procedures, also national routine screening.

We have two rooms available for parents to use, near to the time of discharge. We also have parent friendly packs of toiletries available on request.

Sibling packs are also available on request.

The team

The SCBU team is made up of consultants, doctors, ward matron, sisters, nurses, nursery nurses, administrator and housekeepers:

  • Ward Matron: Purple uniform
  • Neonatal Sisters: Navy Blue uniform
  • Staff Nurses: Light Blue uniform
  • Nursery Nurses: Very pale blue uniform
  • Housekeeper
  • Administrator

Visiting information

Parents are welcome on SCBU at any time.

Grandparents. four name supporters and siblings of the baby are welcome 8am to 1pm, and then 3pm to 8pm.

There is a limit of two people per cot, one of which must be a parent. No children under the age of 16 are allowed unless they are the baby’s sibling.

Anybody with coughs, colds or other illnesses should not visit SCBU.

Contact us

Special Care Baby Unit
Conquest Hospital,
The Ridge,
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex, TN37 7RD
Tel: 0300 131 5235

Parking

Visitors can use either of the public car parks but there are parking charges. Parents can apply for a parking permit, which allows free parking during babies hospital stay. Please ask any member of the nursing team for details.