Doctors

Consultants (senior doctors)

The most senior doctors within the neonatal unit are known as consultant neonatologists. This means that they have extensive experience in paediatrics (problems in children) and now specialise in the care of babies. There are 6 neonatal consultants who, between them, provide 24-hour cover 7 days a week:

• Professor Neil McIntosh
• Dr Ian Laing
• Dr Gopi Menon
• Dr Andrew Lyon
• Dr Paula Midgely
• Dr Ben Stenson

The consultant is the most experienced member of our medical team and, as such, is the person who will direct the care your baby. This means that, the progress and treatment of each baby in intensive care is discussed by a team of doctors every day, usually headed by a consultant (this is called a Ward Round). As well as being responsible for the treatment of your baby the consultant also has many other commitments: supervising, supporting and teaching the more junior doctors, administration and research work. If necessary your baby’s consultant may refer your baby to other specialists. As a parent you can ask to discuss any concerns you may have about your baby with a consultant. Just ask your nurse and she will arrange for this to happen.

Junior doctors

The neonatal unit at The Royal Infirmary is one of the biggest in the UK and many doctors come here to gain experience in the treatment of sick babies. There are two levels of junior doctor:

The first is called a Senior House Officer (SHO). These doctors may have little experience in the care of sick babies and are under close guidance from more senior doctors. SHO's spend the day working on the neonatal unit and labour ward as well as doing routine baby checks and other work on the postnatal wards.

The second level of junior doctor is called a Registrar. These doctors will have previous experience in working with sick babies and will oversee the work of the SHO's. Registrars can make decisions about your baby's treatment and will stay in contact with the consultant for advice and support.

Within the unit there are also a number of nurses and doctors who are involved in research. The research doctors are in training and will also be involved, at times, in the day to day care of the babies.

The unit is responsible for supplying a team to transport babies within SE Scotland. To do this there is a team of doctors and nurses who are also involved in research as well as caring for the babies in the unit.