Important information for 'rooming in'

When babies are admitted to the neonatal unit (NNU), it is inevitable that they are separated from their parents. This is never easy and so accommodation is provided for parents within the hospital. 'Rooming-in' is where a mother (and partner) who does not require medical care herself, stays in the hospital. The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh provides 3 types of rooming-in facilities:

• We have 2 double bedrooms with en-suite facilities where parents are welcome to stay. You are able to make hot/cold drinks and breakfast is provided. Other meals/food can be purchased from the hospital restaurant (ground floor) or the shops.
• There is also an area with 4 beds and an en-suite facility but this is for Mothers only. You are able to make hot/cold drinks and breakfast is provided. Other meals/food can be purchased from the hospital restaurant (ground floor) or the shops.
• In addition to these rooms on the NNU, there are other relative rooms in the hospital that are available for you to stay in. They also have en-suite facilities. Because these rooms are away from the NNU, babies cannot stay with their parents. Please note there is no tea or coffee making facilities but drinks and meals can be purchased from the hospital restaurant (ground floor) or the shops.
• When 'rooming in' parents are asked not leave their baby unattended at any time. Baby should be taken to Corstorphine nursery if you need to leave the unit. Visiting guidelines in 'rooming-in' accommodation are the same as in the nurseries.

Your baby's nurse will discuss with you the type of accommodation that is available and book the most suitable type of room for you.

If more parents would like to stay than we have accommodation for, priority will be given to parents with seriously ill babies or to those parents taking babies home. Because of the demand for accommodation on the NNU, stays are usually restricted to 3 nights (except for the parents of ill babies). Please understand that you may be asked at short notice to vacate accommodation because there is a family with a greater need to stay with their baby at that time. We will discuss this with you at the time and apologise for any inconvenience or distress this may cause you.

All rooms have access to a telephone for incoming calls or to contact the nursery.  SMOKING is not permitted in any of the accommodation. If parents are staying in the 'relatives rooms' they should make themselves familiar with the fire instructions located on the back of the door.

When mothers are discharged from hospital care, they will continue to be under the care of the community midwives until their babies are at least 10 days old. If during this time they are rooming-in, their community midwife will visit them. If a mother has no contact from her midwife, she must tell the NNU staff.

On the day of baby's discharge, the room must be vacated by 12midday to allow for cleaning. The room key must be returned to the nurse looking after the baby being discharged.

If there are any further questions about parents' accommodation, please ask the nursing staff in the Unit.