Birth registration service launched for babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the RUH

From today, parents of babies who are receiving care on the neonatal unit at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust will be able to register their baby's birth at the hospital. This means they don't need to travel off site and leave their babies to visit a register office.

The first babies registered under the new service, being provided by Bath & North East Somerset Council's Registrations team, were identical twins Conall and Murray who were born seven weeks early on 24 October 2025 at 33 weeks gestation.

Dad, Ryan from Chew Valley, said: "I was really anxious about leaving the boys to go to a register office, so when the nurses told me about this service, it was such a relief. Being able to do the registration here on NICU has been brilliant, it means we could celebrate this milestone together as a family."

Mum, Faye, added: "The care at the RUH has been incredible. Every single member of staff has been so kind and encouraging – you really feel like they care about your family's journey. "In the last two weeks, we've had expert support from so many services, from occupational therapy to feeding specialists. We've even had first aid training and advice from premature baby charity Bliss, all here at NICU. Now we've been able to register the boys here too, it really feels like everything has come together and makes us feel ready to start our new life at home."

Zita Martinez, Director of Midwifery and Neonates said: "Parents have told us that registering their baby was often the only time they had to leave their baby's side. By bringing this service into the hospital, we're helping families stay together during what can be an incredibly emotional and stressful time. It's a small change that makes a big difference to parents' peace of mind."

Working with Bath & North East Somerset Council, the new registration service will be available every Wednesday to register the births of babies on the RUH's neonatal intensive care unit and transitional care unit.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: "Registering a birth is such a special milestone for families, as well a legal requirement. We're delighted to be working with the RUH to make birth registration easier and more accessible at a challenging time in people's lives."

Parents have a legal responsibility to register their baby's birth within 42 days of their birth and this is normally done at a register office. By offering birth registration within the hospital, the RUH and the council aim to minimise separation and reduce stress for families.

The service is available for families on NICU and the transitional care pathway. Parents will be invited to book a slot by NICU staff. Anyone not wishing to register their baby at the RUH is still able to register a birth at locations around Bath and North East Somerset.

Find out more about Bath & North East Somerset Council's register office services at:

Bath & North East Somerset Registry Offices

ENDS

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