Special Care Baby Unit

Women’s Health Unit
Level 3, Yellow Zone
Torbay Hospital
Lowes Bridge
Torquay TQ2 7AA

Phone: 01803 654602 or 01803 654605

About the unit

The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) looks after babies who need extra care. Some babies stay for a few days. Others may stay for several weeks. The unit is next to the postnatal ward.

We provide family-centred care, which means:

  • parents are encouraged to be involved in their baby’s care as much as possible
  • we aim to keep families together wherever we can

Visiting

  • Parents can visit their baby at any time.
  • Please speak to staff about siblings or other visitors.
  • Please clean your hands to help protect all babies.

Our care

SCBU at Torbay is a Level 1 neonatal unit, providing care for babies who need extra support but not intensive care.

We care for babies who may need:

  • help with feeding, including breast or bottle feeding
  • support to stay warm
  • treatment for jaundice
  • monitoring
  • short-term oxygen

Babies born from around 32 weeks can usually be cared for here.

We also offer a range of care and support for babies and their families, including:

  • feeding support and advice
  • eye checks
  • blood tests
  • ongoing checks and treatment if needed

We are working towards UNICEF Baby Friendly Accreditation, which supports:

  • breastfeeding
  • parent–baby bonding
  • responsive care for all families

Transitional care

Some babies are well but need extra monitoring. In this case:

  • you will stay with your baby
  • care is shared between SCBU and the postnatal ward. This helps you feel more confident caring for your baby before going home

If your baby needs more care

If your baby needs specialist care:

  • they may be moved to another hospital
  • this is usually in Exeter or Plymouth
  • a specialist transport team will help
  • you will be kept informed at all times

Once your baby is better, you can return to Torbay.

Planning care in pregnancy

If there is a higher risk during your pregnancy:

  • your maternity team will plan care with you
  • you may be advised to give birth in a hospital with more specialist care
  • this helps make sure your baby gets the right care from the start

Extra information

  • Torbay is not an intensive care unit, but trained staff are always on duty.
  • Babies needing intensive care are stabilised before transfer.

Virtual tour of the unit

Other useful support

  • Find support through the Torbay SEND Local Offer, which gives information about services for children and young people with additional needs.

Going home

Before you go home, staff will support you with feeding and caring for your baby. You will get advice about safe sleep and ongoing care. Follow-up appointments will be arranged if needed.

Please speak to the team if you have any concerns at any time.