Special Care Baby Unit

The new Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Yeovil District Hospital involved the careful consideration of a range of space-planning options within the existing Women’s Hospital building. Feasibility studies included a new rooftop extension linked to the adjoining clinical floor; however, to meet strict budgetary requirements, the preferred solution centred on the carefully phased replanning and upgrading of the existing accommodation.

The new facilities were successfully integrated within the existing building envelope, including a major upgrade of the associated mechanical and electrical services. The SCBU provides six specialist cot rooms, two high-dependency rooms, a nurses’ base and office, milk preparation room, family room, counselling room, accessible WC and storage areas.

Subsequent phased alterations to the Freya Ward maternity accommodation, also undertaken by LED Architects, included six new bedrooms with en-suite facilities, new bath and shower rooms, a new reception and waiting area, an antenatal day assessment room, additional storage and refurbishment of the principal circulation areas. Together, the works created a contemporary maternity and neonatal facility serving Yeovil and the surrounding region.