More than a facelift for special care unit

Minister of Health Tony Ryall and Hawke's Bay's "father of paediatrics" David Barry officially opened the newly renovated Special Care Baby Unit at Hawke's Bay Hospital yesterday.

It was nine weeks in the making, but the SCBU was now quieter, darker and equipped with up-to-date ventilation equipment to better improve the first few weeks of life for premature and ill babies.

Dr Barry joined Hawke's Bay Hospital in 1972 as the hospital's first paediatrician.

Affectionately dubbed the "father of paediatrics", the now active board member recalled the different baby units from his earlier years.

Earlier medical thinking in baby units primarily focused on providing physical treatment, whereas the new SCBU also considered physiological care, he said.

For example, the SCBU's fluorescent bulbs were replaced with softer lights that could be dimmed to mimic a natural environment and encourage babies' normal circadian rhythms. The ceiling and floor were also soundproofed to create a calming, restful atmosphere.

"Twenty-five years on, we've got this and it really shows the difference in neo-natal intensive care," he said. "It seems to me baby-friendly, staff-friendly and parent-friendly."

Clinical nurse manager of children and youth services Michelle Robertson said both measures aided babies' brain development. "And it's better for parents who spend hours and hours on end [in the unit]."

Mrs Robertson said contractors and hospital staff worked to keep noise levels low so there wasn't any disruption during the construction. Builders had to manage their noise levels and babies were given miniature earmuffs to offset noise.

Angelique Ryfle from Wairoa said the new unit's atmosphere was "quite calming" for herself and her two-weeks premature twins Weston and Tyson.

Mr Ryall was impressed with the unit and also congratulated the HBDHB for its "great work across everything [it was] doing".

"You've just done a great job. Whenever I go to less salubrious areas, I tell them to go to Hawke's Bay."