Meet the team

Many special people work together to care for babies who need extra help after they are born. They also work with parents and families to support them when their baby is in the neonatal unit. 

Here is some more information about the different people in the team who you are likely to meet on the neonatal unit: 

Admin Team and Ward Clerks   

Ward clerks work at the desks at both ends of the baby unit. 
They know a lot about how things work and can help answer your questions. 

The admin team helps organise care for babies. 
They send letters to families and GPs and help book appointments. 

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) 
These are people with special training who help babies grow and develop. They work with parents and hospital staff to: 

• Check how babies are doing 
• Give advice 
• Help parents care for their baby 

Dietitians 
Neonatal dietitians help care for babies in the neonatal unit. Some babies need food through a vein, a tube, or by bottle or breastfeeding. We work with doctors, nurses, and families to make sure each baby gets the right food to help them grow and get better, both in the hospital and after they go home.  

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists 
These therapists help babies move and grow. They help babies who: 

• are born early 
• Have problems at birth 
• Have medical conditions 

They give advice on how to hold and move your baby and help with exercises. 

Speech and language therapists 
These therapists help babies learn to feed and swallow safely. They also help with early communication. They work with families and doctors to make sure babies are safe and comfortable when feeding. 

Clinical psychologists 
These are people who help parents and families with their feelings. They talk with families and help them cope during difficult times. 

Continuing care team 
These nurses help families at home after the baby leaves the hospital. They give advice and help with any problems. 

Domestic team 
They keep the neonatal unit clean and tidy, day and night. 

Family charity nurse 
Helps families with anything they need while their baby is in the hospital. If they don’t know the answer they will help you find the right person or information. 

Housekeepers 
They clean cots and incubators, do laundry, and help parents staying in the parents bedrooms. 

Infant feeding team 
These nurses help with all kinds of baby feeding. They also teach staff and support parents. 
Neonatal medical team 
This team includes: 

• Doctors who care for sick or early babies 
• Nurse Practitioners who are trained to give medical care 

They are always in the unit and check on babies every day. 

Neonatal tursing team 
Nurses care for babies all day and night. They do many things for babies and help parents learn to do these things for their baby. 

• Keep babies clean and comfy 
• Change nappies 
• Check heart rate, breathing and temperature 
• Give medicine 
• Help with feeding 

Each baby has a nurse looking after them during each shift. 

Neonatal pharmacy team 
The pharmacy team makes sure babies get the right medicine in the right amount. They wear purple clothes and work with doctors and nurses.  

Nursery nurses 
They help babies who are almost ready to go home. They help with feeding and getting babies ready to leave the hospital. 

Phlebotomists  
This is a person who is specially trained to take blood from babies. They will use a small needle to take blood from your baby’s heel. They know how to support babies and keep them comfortable during blood tests. You can help to keep your baby comfy too during these tests.  

Support workers 
They help nurses care for babies by feeding, changing nappies, and checking on them. 

Others you may meet: 
There are some other members of the team you may meet if your baby needs their care: 

Scan and X-ray team 

Specialist doctors and technicians visit the neonatal unit to do scans for babies. 
Sometimes, babies need an x-ray or an ultrasound scan. These scans help doctors see inside the baby’s body. This helps them check if the baby is okay and getting the right treatment. 

Research team 
Sometimes, research nurses on the baby unit might talk to you about special studies. These studies help us learn how to take better care of babies. If we don’t already know the best way to help, these studies can give us answers. 

You will always be asked if you agree before your baby takes part in any studies.  

Doctors and nurses from Sheffield Children’s Hospital 

Sometimes babies need special help from doctors and nurses at Sheffield Children's Hospital. 
These experts come to the baby unit to meet you, your baby, and the team at Jessop Wing. We all work together to give your baby the best care. 

Some examples are: 

• Children’s surgeons and nurses who help if a baby might need an operation and helping then to get better after surgery 
• Respiratory doctors and nurses who help if a baby has long-term breathing problems and might need oxygen to help their breathing when they go home