New neonatal unit opened in Bradford

Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, chairman of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, formally opened the facility today at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Lord Patel was joined by guests including the parents of babies who received treatment on the unit.

The redesign, which involved parents’ input, includes more spacious clinical surroundings around each incubator, new family accommodation, a revamped counselling suite and dedicated room for mothers to express breast milk for their pre-term babies.

Lord Patel stood in for the Royal College’s president, Dr Hilary Cass, who had to withdraw due to illness.

In a message to the event Dr Cass said: “There is no doubt that by enhancing the environment Bradford’s neonatal unit has been transformed into a bright and vibrant setting. It will make a real difference to the babies who are treated here and the families and carers who spend time in this facility.”

The old baby unit, which previously cared for up to 27 babies at any one time and was regularly full, has been rebuilt.

It now houses 31 cots including 10 intensive care and high dependency cots.