At Frimley Health, we believe mothers and babies should stay together whenever possible. The Transitional Care Unit (TCU) is part of our postnatal ward, designed for babies who need a little extra care but are well enough to stay with their mothers instead of being admitted to the Neonatal Unit.
In the TCU, parents are supported to remain closely involved in day-to-day care, with advice and reassurance from midwives, nurses and the neonatal team. This approach helps build confidence, supports feeding, and keeps families together during what can be a worrying time.
Babies may be admitted to the TCU if, for example, they:
- are born a little early (from about 34 weeks onwards)
- are smaller than average at birth
- need extra monitoring, such as regular blood sugar checks
- need treatment for jaundice, including phototherapy (light treatment)
- are receiving antibiotics but are otherwise stable
- need feeding support, such as tube feeding, until they can feed fully themselves
Some babies may also return to the TCU after going home, if they need readmission but are well enough not to be separated from their mother.
If a baby does need more specialist care than the TCU can provide, they will be cared for on the Neonatal Unit. Parents are encouraged to be fully involved in their baby’s care there too, with the support of our specialist team.