RPA New Born Care SLHD

RPA Newborn Care is the intensive care unit for sick and premature babies at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Camperdown. Each year over 5000 babies are born at RPA making it the largest maternity hospital in New South Wales. RPA Newborn Care looks after all the very small and sick babies born in RPA and other babies who are transferred from hospitals around the State. Around 900 babies are treated in RPA Newborn Care every year and in the 36 years of service over 29,000 babies have been cared for.

RPA Newborn Care also looks after babies with an illness following birth. For example respiratory distress, low blood sugar levels, jaundice and congenital abnormalities.

Life saving equipment is crucial for the treatment and care provided at RPA Newborn Care. Funding is critical to ensure the best and most up to date equipment is available to maintain the world class standard of this intensive care unit. Our current equipment need include a Neonatal Intensive Care Monoring System, whichcontinuously displays the baby's vital signs immediately notifyingstaff of the slightest change; Photoherapy Units to treat jaundice which affects around 50% of babies and Ventilators representing "the breath of life" for many premature and sick babies.