Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Contact us
Telephone: 01233 616204
What we do
Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a specialist intensive care unit for newborn babies.
If your baby was born prematurely or required medical attention at birth, they may be admitted to us for observation or treatment.
Your baby may be transferred to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) or our Special Baby Care Unit (SCBU) as their condition improves.
Our specialist nurses and doctors are available to answer any questions you may have. Parental involvement in decision making and care is fully encouraged and supported as part of family integrated care.
We also have psychological support available for all parents with babies on the unit.
Visiting your baby
Parents have 24 hour unrestricted access to the unit. We encourage parental involvement in decision-making and daily care of your baby.
Parents are part of the team and you are encouraged to spend as much time as you can on the unit and bonding with your baby.
We ask that grandparents and siblings of the baby visit between the hours of 12pm-2pm, or from 4pm onwards. This is to protect some time for parents and babies.
Due to infection control we ask that no outside work uniforms are worn and children do not visit in school uniform.
Where to find us
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
Virtual tour
A virtual tour is available of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at William Harvey Hospital. Trigger warning: If you are a parent or carer and wish to use the virtual tours to explore the neonatal unit where your baby was cared for, please make sure you are in a safe space and feel emotionally ready to revisit the unit.
Virtual tours of neonatal units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex are also available on the Neonatal Network South East's website. You can also find out more about neonatal care in Kent and Medway over at Bump, Birth and Beyond.