Baby Safety & Security

Baby Safety

Please respect the enormous efforts we make to protect all babies.  NEVER allow people to enter the unit when we open the door to you unless you know who they are.  Staff wearing a visible Kingston Hospital photo ID badge can be allowed through.

Baby Security

Infections
All newborn babies are at an increased risk of catching an infection.  To help protect every baby, absolutely EVERYONE who handles a baby MUST wash their hands before doing so (staff are also expected to use a spirit disinfectant hand rub).  We ask everyone to wash their hands and arms up to the elbows at the sinks just inside each nursery when they arrive.  Please ensure that you and your visitors adhere strictly to the following:

Sit only with your own baby (please do not wander around the nursery looking at other babies).

NEVER touch someone else’s baby.  If you notice another baby who appears distressed, please ask a member of staff or pull the red emergency call button (these are in each nursery and staff will show you where they are).

If you are feeling unwell, please take advice from staff before visiting and don’t allow any other visitors to come if they are unwell (especially if they have coughs, colds and sore throats).

Safety
All medical equipment must only be operated by staff.  Please do not turn off alarms or alter settings.  (A few parents who have completed a training course for equipment to be used at home may be allowed to do so.)  If you are worried please ask staff or use the emergency call.

Confidentiality
Information about babies other than your own is highly confidential so please do not ask us about them!

We are more than happy for you to take photographs or video of your baby on the unit but please ASK STAFF FIRST and be aware of other parents and staff privacy.