The newborn care unit (NCU) at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford provides specialist medical and surgical care for babies across the Thames Valley and Wessex Congenital Heart Disease Network and has a specialist transport team to pick up sick babies from partner hospitals.

All expectant parents hope their babies will be healthy but sometimes problems arise, such a premature birth, a difficult delivery or antenatal concerns which require admission for treatment.

It can be very stressful when babies are admitted to newborn care. The doctors, nurses, support workers, social worker, clinical psychologist and other professionals on the unit do their best to support parents and their involvement in the care of their baby is encouraged.