The new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Noble’s Hospital was ‘topped out’ today by Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK.
Minister Quayle was on site to put in one of the roof slates, marking a significant phase of the construction work. With the building shortly to be made water tight, work will continue on the internal build and the fitting-out over the next few months. The new Unit is on schedule to open in February 2015. ble’s Hospital was ‘topped out’ today by
Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK.
Minister Quayle said:
'I am delighted to be here today to help mark this major milestone in the building work. The new Unit will offer the very highest standards of care for critically ill babies, conforming to the latest best practice and the latest European and British perinatal medicine standards. The result of this work will be a state of the art Neonatal Unit of which the Island can rightly be proud.
'I would like to extend my thanks to everyone involved in the project for getting us to this stage and for doing so on time and on budget.'
Following approval for funding in Tynwald, building work on the NICU commenced in October last year. The extension to the hospital adjoins the existing Jane Crookall Maternity Unit and will offer more space for the specialist care that is provided to neonatal babies. The current capacity of nine cots will remain, but enhancements will include additional overnight accommodation for parents, additional space to improve isolation, resuscitation and privacy, as well as additional room for the storage of vital equipment.
Dr Prakash Thiagarajan, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Noble’s Hospital said:
'This is a significant investment for the future which everyone at Noble’s Hospital is very grateful for. It will allow us to offer the very best care and state of the art services for seriously ill new-born babies in those crucial first hours and days of life. Being able to provide the best start for babies born on the Island in the best possible environment is something we are really looking forward to.'
Information on the Neonatal Unit service can be found via this link.
