Visiting the NICU and Special Care Nursery

Parents are welcome 24 hours a day.

At Centenary Hospital, we will give each baby’s parents a 24-hour swipe access card. This is arranged by our ward clerks during business hours. Don’t forget to return your swipe card when your baby is ready to go home.

At North Canberra Hospital, parents may be present 24 hours a day with arrangements made with parents on a case-by-case basis. Extended family visiting hours are agreed on a case by case basis.

To ensure babies are safe and comfortable we have some visiting rules:

parents can nominate up to four people to visit during your baby’s stay. Visitors must be with a parent when they visit. Visitors attending without baby’s parents need to get permission from the department before they arrive.
maximum of two people at the bedside at one time, either two parents or one parent and one visitor.
parents only during quiet time, which is from 1pm to 3pm.
ask your visitors to text or call you when they arrive so you can let them in with your swipe card and bring them into the unit.
children under 12 years of age, are not able to visit.
no hot drinks in babies’ rooms. Drink bottles with lids and cold snacks are best.
switch phones and devices to silent.
wash your hands at the basins before entering the unit.

If you are unwell:

Anyone with a cold or other illness is not allowed to visit the unit until they are well.
The NICU and Special Care Nursery are ‘no cough’ zones. Whooping cough can be life threatening to babies. If visitors have a cough, please tell them not to visit.
If you have a cold sore please talk to the medical or nursing staff caring for your baby. It may be necessary to take extra precautions to prevent cross infection.

Handwashing

Handwashing is one of the most important precautions to prevent infection when caring for your baby.

Before entering the unit:

Wash your hands. This handwashing video shows how to wash with soap and water.

Before entering your baby’s room:

Complete a 1 minute fingertip-to-elbow scrub before you first enter your baby’s room:

Roll up your sleeves and remove any watches, bracelets, and rings.
Ensure you clean your forearms up to the elbows and dry thoroughly.

After touching any surfaces use alcohol rub. For example, after touching mobile devices, books and handbags.

For your comfort

We have family areas for your use at any time of the day or night.

Bottled water is available NICU. Tea, instant coffee, milk, and sugar are available in the Family Room in Special Care Nursery. We also have a small fridge, a microwave and washing up facilities..

All families with a baby in the unit at Centenary Hospital are welcome to use the Ronald McDonald Family Room which is located on Level 1 near the Paediatric Wards in the Centenary Hospital.

There are a variety of cafes and facilities available at Canberra Hospital campus and North Canberra Hospital. We can provide parents with a meal ticket for Canberra Hospital Staff Cafeteria upon request.