15 August 2018
Neo-natal unit opened at Armadale Hospital
Armadale Hospital has officially opened its new $450,000 neonatal unit, which will improve the hospital's ability to provide safe care for acutely ill newborns.
The enhanced obstetric services will enable more mothers to give birth closer to where they live.
The new Level 2A neonatal unit can treat mothers with low to moderate risk pregnancies, and manage babies born from 34 weeks gestation with minimal complications.
The unit has capacity for eight cots, four will be opened initially with the remainder to become operational as clinical demand increases. There is also provision to close off a bay for infection isolation purposes.
Apnoea monitoring, low level oxygen therapy and nasal/oral-gastric feeding for low dependency babies will be available at the new neonatal unit.
Other features include a dedicated parents area and expanded space to enhance privacy and patient confidentiality.
The new unit will have a paediatrician on call 24/7 and boast a range of new equipment including an arterial blood gas machine, jaundice monitor and pulse oximeter, and in addition, have the ability to provide short-term intravenous therapy.