Neonatal Services
Where to find us
The Neonatal Unit is signposted along the corridor from the main reception area.
Neonatal Unit
First floor
East Wing
Noble's Hospital
Telephone:+44 1624 650035, Lead Nurse Neonatal: +44 1624 650285
Community Neonatal Nurse contactable via Neonatal Unit.
About the Neonatal Unit
Our Neonatal Unit provides care for premature babies from 32 weeks gestation as well as babies born at full term gestation who are requiring specialist neonatal care. Babies born below 32 weeks gestation or babies requiring treatment that is not available on island are transferred to UK hospitals for further specialist care. Some babies are transferred in-utero (before birth) and if required babies can be stabilised on our Neonatal Unit and then transferred. The Air Ambulance team are based at Noble's Hospital and are able to transfer any premature or unwell baby using our transport incubator. If a baby is transferred off island, a Neonatal Nurse (with specialist air transfer training), Doctor and/or specialist team will accompany the baby on transfer.
On our Neonatal Unit we have 1 intensive care/high dependency cot and 3 special care cots. We also have 1 isolation room.
We have a Community Neonatal Nurse who also works on the Neonatal Unit and helps with supporting and advising parents/carers once their baby has been discharged from our Neonatal Unit.
Facilities on the Neonatal Unit include a parents' sitting room, this has hot and cold beverage facilities, a fridge and a microwave. Rooms for parents to stay overnight is available on individual basis and will depend on circumstances within the Neonatal Unit. We have a milk kitchen for feeding and expressing equipment. Our unit has a fridge and freezer for expressed breast milk and use of expressing pumps whilst babies are on the Neonatal Unit. Use of expressing pumps can also be arranged for home once baby's mother is discharged home, this is arranged via Infant Feeding Team.
Who can visit babies on the Neonatal Unit
Parents/carers can choose 4 additional people to visit their baby on the Neonatal Unit. The people chosen by the parents/carers must remain the same throughout the baby's stay on the unit. Visiting times are un-restricted.
If the baby has siblings they are not included in the 4 named visitors but may visit their new baby on the Neonatal Unit. The number of visitors is restricted to reduce the risks of infection and limit the noise levels on the Neonatal Unit.
Caring for babies on the Neonatal Unit
Family integrated care is encouraged on our Neonatal Unit so as soon as your baby's condition is stable enough, you will be encouraged to cuddle your baby. You will also be encouraged to change your baby's nappy, get involved in feeding your baby, have skin to skin contact with your baby and any other care that your baby may require. Nursing staff will help you to become confident in caring for your baby during the stay in the Neonatal Unit.
Feeding babies on the Neonatal Unit
Some babies will require a feeding tube to be fed either because they are premature and are not ready to feed by breast or bottle yet, or full term babies that are unwell.
If you wish to breast feed your baby nursing staff will help and advise and help you with expressing and breast feeding. If you wish to bottle feed your baby nursing staff will also help and advise and help with feeding. Our Neonatal Unit and the Infant Feeding Team work closely to ensure families have all the support they may need in feeding their new baby.
Noble's first floor map
Overseas Visitors
Manx Care is mandated by The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) to provide healthcare for the people of the Isle of Man. Persons who are not ordinarily resident in the Island are not automatically entitled to be provided with the full range of NHS services free of charge. However services provided under Part 2 of the NHS Act 2001 (Primary Care Services) such as ambulance transport; treatment in the Emergency Department (ED); treatment in the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Ramsey District Cottage Hospital; and The Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS) the 'out of hours' emergency doctor service will continue to be provided to Overseas Visitors without any charge other than statutory charges such as prescription charges usually paid by Isle of Man residents.
Also treatment for certain diseases where it is necessary to protect the wider public health is free from charge to an Overseas Visitor as well as treatment given in, or as the result or a referral from, a sexually transmitted diseases clinic; and admission to hospital where a patient is detained under the Mental Health Act 1998.
An Overseas Visitor becomes chargeable when they are accepted as an Inpatient or referred to a service as an Outpatient.
Maternity services are not exempt from charges and a such an Overseas Visitor who presents to the Maternity ward will be subject to charges for the maternity services provided.
If you have any questions or would like to contact the Overseas Visitors team you can do so using the details below:
Email: OVT.Nobles@gov.im
Telephone (between 9am to 5pm): +44 1624 650255 or +44 1624 650755
