What are the visiting hours?

At The Portland Hospital, we have open visiting. However, we recommend that visitors leave by 10pm. If your child's staying overnight, this gives both parents and child the chance to settle for the night. Should you wish to stay overnight with your child, that's no problem. We can provide you with a bed for one parent.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5AH

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Welcome to the HCA UK Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Fast access to critical care

If your baby needs additional support after birth, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides expert care in a safe, closely monitored environment.

Our team of neonatal consultants, specialist nurses and therapists are on hand round-the-clock to deliver advanced treatment tailored to your baby’s needs, from breathing support to management of serious infections.

But we’re not just here for your baby, we’re here for you too, with clear guidance, answers and reassurance every step of the way.

Where is the unit based?

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is at The Portland Hospital, London. If you’re having your baby with us, getting your newborn urgent and specialist care, should they need it, will be quick and seamless.

What kind of care does the unit offer?

This state-of-the-art facility is equipped to monitor and care for babies with complex needs born after 28 weeks’ gestation who can be transferred to our level 2 high dependency unit.

How do I know my baby will be in safe hands?

Your newborn’s safety is our first priority – always, and the expertise of our teams reflects this.

Many of our consultant neonatologists are pioneers in this field and include those responsible for the invention of life-support systems for babies, and the development of brain injury treatment for pre-term and term newborn infants. In addition, several of our specialists hold prominent positions at London's top teaching hospitals.

All of them are supported by an exceptional team of highly trained neonatal nurses alongside other skilled professionals, including lactation experts and specialist therapists.

No.1

The only UK private hospital dedicated to treating women and children

State-of-the-art diagnostics

With fast, accurate results

Specialist treatment for complex conditions

Our complete breadth of expertise, focused on your child

Personalised care for your newborn

Our experienced neonatologists and specialist nurses work together as part of a wider team to respond quickly to your baby’s needs, whether that’s help with breathing, feeding or recovery from surgery.

Together, they’ll deliver personalised care in a calm, closely monitored environment designed to give your baby the best possible start.

Our expert NICU teams include:

Neonatal surgeons
Neonatologists
Neonatal nurses
Respiratory care specialists
Physical and occupational therapists
Lactation consultants

Fast, accurate diagnostics

In neonatal intensive care, every detail matters. That’s why we use a wide range of advanced diagnostic tools to monitor your baby’s condition, guide treatment, and respond quickly to any changes.

These investigations help us make informed decisions and provide the most appropriate, targeted care at every stage.

Diagnostics available include:

Blood tests
CT scans (including low-dose CT scans)
ECG (electrocardiogram)
EEG (electroencephalogram) for assessing brain activity
Genetic and metabolic testing
Microbiological testing to detect infections
MRI scans
Ultrasound
X-ray

How to find us

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is located at The Portland Hospital, London, close to Regent’s Park and Great Portland Street.

We’re easily accessible by public transport, with nearby Underground stations including Great Portland Street, Regent’s Park, and Oxford Circus.

There are national and private car parks nearby.

Find directions here.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) FAQs

What is a NICU?

A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides specialist care for newborns who are born prematurely, have a low birth weight, or need medical support after birth. Our unit offers round-the-clock monitoring, advanced treatment, and a calm, closely supervised environment to give your baby the best possible start.

Why does my baby need intensive neonatal care?

Most newborns admitted to our unit are premature, which means they are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. They tend to have a low birth weight or have a medical condition that requires intensive care.

However, babies may also need to be looked after by us if they have a life-threatening birth defect, surgical or genetic condition.

Who’ll be looking after my baby?

Your baby will be cared for by a dedicated team of neonatal consultants, nurses, and health professionals from across our network, including respiratory therapists, dietitians and physiotherapists. All of them have vast experienced in caring for newborns with complex needs.

Will I be kept informed about my baby’s progress?

Absolutely. We’ll keep you updated regularly and make sure you’re completely comfortable with your baby’s treatment plan. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Can I stay with my baby in the NICU?

Yes. We encourage parents to be with their babies as much as possible. We believe in family-centred care, and we’ll support you to stay close, bond with your baby, and be actively involved in their care.

What happens when my baby no longer needs neonatal support?

As your baby grows and needs less medical support, they can be moved to our special care baby unit. For the sake of continuity and the best clinical outcomes, the same neonatal nurses will care for your baby across both locations.

Is there parking at The Portland Hospital?

Pick-up and drop-off options: Visitors can pick up and drop off patients at the main entrance. No parking is allowed as the driveway is for emergency vehicle access.

Local parking: There’s no on-site parking and street parking isn’t permitted on a single yellow line between Monday and Saturday, from 8.30am to 6.30pm. However, national and private car parks are available nearby. Please contact the admissions team if you need help to find a local car park near to the hospital.

Disabled parking: Westminster Council operates a small number of disabled parking bays near the hospital, available to Blue Badge holders for up to four hours. The nearest one is on the corner of Bolsover Street, next to Tesco Express.

Should you wish to stay overnight with your child, that’s no problem. We can provide you with a bed for one parent.

Will I be able to stay when my child goes to theatre?

Yes you can. You’re very welcome to go to the anaesthetic room, where you can stay until your child’s asleep. At that point, the nurse will accompany you back to your room.