Your healthcare team

Our medical, nursing, allied health and support staff work together to ensure the best possible care is provided for your baby. If you have any questions about the team or their roles, please ask.
 

Our team includes:

Neonatologist: senior paediatric doctors specially trained in looking after premature and sick babies. They may also be referred to as a consultant and lead the team caring for your baby.

Fellow and Registrars: qualified doctors who are training in neonates/paediatrics as a specialty. There are always doctors present in the neonatal unit at all times.

Residents and Interns: rotational doctors working at Mater.

Nurse Unit Manager (NUM): the senior nursing manager responsible for nursing staff and operations of the unit. We currently have three NUMs across NCCU.

Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC): a senior nursing role involved in quality improvement and translating research into practice. They look at processes and act as a clinical expert in NCCU.

Clinical Facilitator (CF): part of the education team specialised in neonatal care. They provide support to nursing and medical staff. They also facilitate nursing and medical orientation, graduate nurses’ transition into neonatal care and coordinate workshops on a variety of topics.

Discharge Coordinator: a nurse who is dedicated to organising and coordinating discharge of your baby from NCCU. If you are referred in from another hospital, the discharge coordinator can liaise with other hospitals when it is appropriate to transfer your baby closer to home. They will also arrange follow up appointments if required post-discharge.

Clinical Nurse (CN): a nurse who displays advanced practice in neonatal care. They have the responsibility to be able to coordinate the team and manage a shift as well as oversee the care of babies in their area.

Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Midwife (RM): is a qualified nurse and/or midwife and is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Many nurses/midwives working in NCCU have completed further training in caring for babies.

Enrolled Nurse (EN): a nurse who is qualified by completion of a vocational education training course and is endorsed to give medications. They are also accredited by AHPRA.

Assistant in Nursing (AIN): provide support to the nursing team ensuring essential and operational activities run as smoothly as possible.

Lactation Consultant: a nurse/midwife specialising in the clinical management of breastfeeding, including providing support to breastfeeding women, and assisting them in the initiation and maintenance of their breast milk supply if unable to breastfeed. Lactation consultants hold an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) qualification.

Dietitian: an expert in diet and nutrition who monitors your baby’s growth to ensure your baby is receiving adequate nourishment.

Speech Pathologist: part of the allied health team that focuses on the ability of babies to feed and swallow safely. They may also provide follow up with speech development.

Physiotherapist: part of our healthcare team who assist with assessment of baby’s respiratory state, observe movement and provide education on baby handling and developmental care.

Occupational Therapist: an allied health professional that looks at how your baby’s diagnosis can affect their development and behaviour. They can help you to read your baby’s developmental cues.

Pharmacist: reviews and provides advice on medications that your baby may require while in NCCU. They also provide education for medication administration on discharge if required.

Social Worker: provides emotional support and strategies to cope with stress for families and staff in NCCU. They can assist with arrangements for accommodation and discharge.

Pastoral Carer: team members from pastoral services who can provide assistance and compassionate support for families in NCCU.

Specialist Teams: several paediatric teams visit from Queensland Children's Hospital. These may include surgical, cardiac, endocrinology, palliative care, respiratory, plastics, urology, neurology, neurosurgical, ENT (ear, nose and throat), and stomal therapy.

Ward Clerk: an administrative officer who supports the staff and families in the unit.

Cuddle Mums: under the supervision of nursing staff, Cuddle Mums support families by caring and comforting newborn babies in the Special Care Nursery. Their support extends to feeding, bathing or holding your baby. Cuddle Mums also welcome and orient families to the Special Care Nursery and ensure families are well supported.

 

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For urgent assessment at any stage of your pregnancy, please present to your nearest emergency centre or Mater Mothers’ 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre in South Brisbane.

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