Neonatal care — Otago and Southland

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Dunedin Hospital

Phone 03 474 0999 and ask for NICU.

Neonatal unit (NNU) at Southland Hospital

Phone 03 218 1949 and ask for the NNU.

NICU — Dunedin Hospital

Street address

201 Great King Street
Dunedin

Postal address

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Private Bag 1921
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand

NNU — Southland Hospital

Street address

Kew Road
Invercargill

Postal address

Neonatal unit (NNU)
PO Box 828
Invercargill 9840
New Zealand

NICU — Dunedin Hospital

This NICU is a highly specialised (tertiary level) service with:

• 5 Level 3 cots (higher-level intensive care)
• 11 Level 2 cots (lower-level intensive care).

The Level 3 NICU provides care for pēpi born prematurely (from 23 weeks' gestation) and for newborn pēpi to 3 months of age who need intensive care.

In general, pēpi are admitted to NICU from Otago and Southland. However, when other units are at capacity, out-of-district pēpi may be admitted, with the reverse applying if Dunedin is at capacity.

Road and air retrieval services are available for pēpi outside of Dunedin who need unexpected admission to the NICU.

To support a safe transition from NICU to home, a homecare service is also available.

NNU — Southland Hospital

The NNU is a Level 2 unit with 6 Level 2 cots (low-level intensive care). This Level 2 unit provides care for pēpi born prematurely from 32 weeks' gestation and above. 

Pēpi admitted to the NNU are usually from Southland, including Fiordland, Queenstown and Stewart Island. However, if Dunedin or other centres are at capacity, Invercargill may admit out-of-district pēpi.

Pēpi who are born before 32 weeks or require a high level of intensive care would initially be supported by our paediatric department while waiting transfer to Dunedin's Level 3 NICU for ongoing medical care.

To support a safe transition from NNU to home, a homecare service is also available.