Your postnatal care

Burstow ward

Rusper and Burstow are our postnatal wards. The wards consists of six-bedded bays as well as single rooms, one with ensuite facilities.

Single rooms (amenity beds)

Amenity rooms are single rooms which are available for women after they have given birth at East Surrey Hospital.

They are situated within the Maternity Unit's postnatal ward and are for patients who would prefer a little more privacy.

The care and facilities you receive while staying in an amenity room are the same as for all other women on the maternity unit.

Amenity rooms are not pre-bookable and we cannot guarantee that an amenity room will be available when you are admitted.

Types of accommodation varies from a single room with en-suite shower room and recliner chair for overnight stay by partner at '120 per night, to single rooms with no overnight stay for partners at '80 per night.

Please click here for more information about or to find out how to book an amenity room.

Hospital security

The hospital takes security issues very seriously, especially in the maternity areas.

We need your help and vigilance in maintaining security at all times.

All hospital staff will have identification, always check with a midwife or nurse if someone tells you they are a member of staff but are unable to provide identification.

Ring your call-bell for help if you are suspicious about anything.

All the ward areas for maternity and children's wards are locked 24-hours a day and have entry buzzers/monitors for staff to identify who wishes to enter.

All babies have two identity labels - these are attached after birth and should not be removed before you return home.

Whenever you change your baby's clothes/nappy please check that the two labels are still in place.

If one or both of these labels falls off, please tell the midwife caring for you.

Never leave your baby unattended without telling someone where you are going (neighbourhood watch). A parent must always be present when the baby has to have examinations.

The doors to the postnatal ward are locked as a security measure. All visitors must use the intercom to identify themselves.

Your stay in hospital

Your length of stay in hospital depends on the individual needs of yourself and your baby.

It is usually six to 48 hours, but can be up to four days for mothers who have had complicated deliveries, for example Caesarean sections.

We aim to give care according to individual needs. It is also important that you let us know what is important to you and what help you require.

Please discuss your worries/concerns with the midwife as often as you need to.

Feeding your baby

This hospital supports breastfeeding as the healthiest way for you to feed your baby, and you will be given encouragement. However, we will support and help you in whatever method you choose to feed your baby.

The Neonatal Unit

The Neonatal Unit, (sometimes known as the Special Care Baby Unit) provides specialist care for premature and sick new born babies and is staffed by a team of nurses and doctors who are appropriately trained.

If your baby requires admission to the Neonatal Unit you will be kept fully informed about your baby's plan of care, including reason for admission and any investigations and treatment required.

We have an open visiting policy for parents and you will be helped and encouraged, by the staff, to provide care for your baby.

The level of this care will depend on your baby's medical condition.

The Transitional Care Unit provides care for babies who require minimal support and care but who are not quite ready for discharge from hospital.

Typically these are babies who require some extra support with feeding. Mothers are resident in the Transitional Care Unit with their baby and support is provided by nursery nurses.