About us

GGC Neonatal
NHS GGC

Welcome to the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. We are a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, providing all aspects of neonatal care. As Scotland’s largest neonatal unit with 50 available cot spaces, we also look after babies from across Scotland with a range of conditions, including babies with surgical conditions, heart problems and airway problems. We are also one of the few centres in the UK providing neonatal Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS). This is sometimes referred to as ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). More information on this form of treatment is available here: ECLS in NICU (picu.scot)

We understand and appreciate the worry and concern that you will have if your child has to spend time with us after they are born. However our dedicated team are all here to help and support you during your baby’s stay on the neonatal unit.

Our neonatal unit is split across two levels (you can see a map of the unit here). Level 1 is dedicated to babies who require more intensive forms of care, whilst level 2 is normally utilised for babies who are closer to going home. We also have four family rooms available within the neonatal unit, allowing parents to stay overnight and have some support caring for their baby prior to going home.

We are part of the Scottish Perinatal Network and work closely with all neonatal units across the country to facilitate transfer of babies closer to home as soon as possible. Our neonatal transport team colleagues at ScotSTAR undertake the transfer of babies requiring neonatal care. We have a particularly special relationship with our sister neonatal units across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in both the Royal Alexandra Hospital and The Princess Royal Maternity. We work closely with both other units to provide a comprehensive model of neonatal care for all babies born within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Additionally, for infants with more complex needs, we also work with our Paediatric Specialty colleagues to allow babies to transition to the paediatric wards within the Children’s Hospital when required.


A stay in neonatal care - An animated guide

You can find out more about our unit by taking our virtual tour.

Meet our team

During your baby’s stay on the neonatal unit, there will be a number of different professionals involved in their care. These may include:

  • Neonatal Nurses
  • Doctors
    • Neonatologists
    • Surgeons
    • Trainee Doctors
    • Visiting Specialty Doctors
  • Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Dieticians
  • Infant Feeding Support Team Members
  • Physiotherapists
  • Pharmacists
  • Community Liaison Nurses
  • Neonatal psychologists

there is always a Consultant present 24h a day, although at times they may be in Labour or Postnatal ward. Our Consultant Neonatologists will coordinate all aspects of your babies’ medical care on the unit.

Our Consultant Neonatologists are:

  • Dr Jonathan Coutts
  • Dr Anne Marie Heuchan
  • Dr Judith Simpson
  • Dr Lesley Jackson
  • Dr Dominic Cochran
  • Dr Morag Campbell
  • Dr Neil Patel
  • Dr Helen McDevitt
  • Dr Laura McGlone
  • Dr Colin Peters
  • Dr Kathleen O'Reilly
  • Dr Joyce O'Shea
  • Dr Andrew Cooper
  • Dr Hilary Conetta
  • Dr Louise Leven
  • Dr Lynne Beattie
  • Dr Duncan Boyd
  • Dr Lynsey Still
  • Dr Andrew MacLaren
  • Dr Andrew Brunton
  • Dr Martina Rodie
  • Dr Jennifer Mitchell
  • Dr Cliodhna Godden

Our Designated Senior Charge nurse on level 1 is Sharron McMonagle. Sharron leads our specialist nursing team within level 1 of the neonatal unit. We also have a number of Senior Charge Nurses who will coordinate with the bedside nurse regarding your babies’ care on the neonatal unit.

Our Senior Charge Nurses on Level 1 are:

  • Morag Liddell
  • Gillian Sloane
  • Ros Montgomery
  • Emma Gallagher
  • Lorna McSeveney
  • Margaret Copeland
  • Nicola McPhee
  • Nicola Bradley
  • Monica Petrusca
  • Hazel Braxton
  • Karen Goodwin
  • Lynn Kelly
  • Tracey Clinton
  • Carolyn McConnell
  • Lynsey Robertson
  • Ainsley Ballantyne
  • Nicola Bradley

Our Designated Senior Charge Nurse on level 2 is Sandra Lowis. Sandra also leads a dedicated nursing team on level 2 who will encourage you to be involved in all aspects of your babies care.

Our other Senior Charge Nurses on level 2 are:

  • Marie Harbour
  • Lorraine Weymes

Intensive care (ICU), High dependency (HDU), Special Care (SBCU) and Rooming in

Depending on your baby’s medical needs, they may be in ICU, HDU, SCBU or the family room.

As your baby’s medical needs change and they are progressing towards discharge, they will move from the higher levels of care (ICU/HDU) to the lower dependency areas (SCBU/family room). The levels of monitoring and staffing in these areas different but appropriate to your baby’s needs as their journey progresses.

Moving to a different care areas can be an anxious time for parents but staff can help with this by showing you round the new area and explain how things work there.

Ward rounds

Ward rounds are led by a senior member of the neonatal team. They occur daily between 09:00 and 12:00. We may also see your baby jointly with other doctors from different specialties depending on the reason for your baby’s admission.

We always encourage parents to be present at the ward round and to ask any questions at this time.

We aim to keep parents involved and up to date with your baby’s care. If you would like to speak to the Consultant looking after your baby, please ask a member of the team who can organise this for you. The Consultant of the week who will be looking after and coordinating your baby’s care during daytime hours is usually the most appropriate Consultant to give you an update on your baby’s progress.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 11/06/2024

Next review date: 11/06/2026

Approved By: RHC Neonatal Team