We will let you know about what appointments your baby will need after you go home. All families will be put in contact with their local early childhood services who will provide the normal early childhood checkups. We recommend all families find a local general practitioner who can help provide medical care. If your baby needs to see a paediatrician or other medical specialist, we will arrange a referral for you when you go home.
Newborn and Parent Support Service
The Newborn and Parent Support Service, provides an early discharge program for eligible Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery families whose babies need nursing care, support and advice at home. The Newborn and Parent Support Service operates 7 days per week, with out of hours emergency phone support provided by one of our nursing team leaders.
NICU Growth and Development Follow Up Clinic
If eligible, we will invite you to come to our Growth and Development Follow Up Clinic. This is to make sure babies who have left our unit who may be at high risk of developmental and behavioural problems, are referred to the appropriate services. If your baby is eligible to attend our team will call you to give you an appointment. Babies are seen three months, 12 months and 24-months after their due date.
The clinic team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychologists. You will see different team members depending on your child’s age and need. The assessments can take from 30 minutes to two hours to complete.
Clinic contact details
E: NewbornFollow-UpClinic@act.gov.au
