Written question WQ92028

The guidance for Critical Care Units states that overnight accommodation for visitors may be provided within the hospital, or the hospital may have an arrangement with a nearby hotel. Where children are being treated, overnight accommodation for parents should be provided. Enlarged single bedrooms provide the option of adding an extra bed for parents to stay overnight.

Under the All-Wales Neonatal Standards, dedicated facilities will be available for parents and families of babies receiving neonatal care. As a minimum there is one room per intensive care cot located within 10 – 15 minutes’ walking distance of the unit in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Each Health Board is responsible for planning and delivering care in line with these standards. The Wales Maternity and Neonatal Network has the responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Standards.

There are four health boards within Wales that provide Neonatal Intensive Care and the facilities that they offer are as follows:-

• Childrens Hospital for Wales (CVUHB) – Use of the Ronald McDonald House which has 30 ensuite bedrooms.

• Grange University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (ABUHB) – Have recently opened two Parent houses (Ty Onnen and Ty Derwen) that supports any parents to stay close to their baby whilst on the neonatal unit. There are three bedrooms in each house and shared communal kitchens and living areas as well as a spacious garden. Siblings are also welcome to stay in these houses with parents.

• Singleton NICU (SBUHB)- Houses on site that are accessible for parents of infants receiving Neonatal Intensive Care.

• Ysbyty Glan Clwyd – Sub Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Centre (BCUHB) – Have parent bedrooms on the unit but if these are full then out of area parents are accommodated in the nearby hotel (within walking distance) paid for by charity.