Parents of babies receiving care on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Royal United Hospitals Bath can now register their baby’s birth without leaving the hospital, thanks to a new on-site registration service launched today.
The service, run in partnership between Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Registrations team and the RUH, means that parents no longer need to travel off site and leave their newborns to visit a register office.
The first babies to be registered under the new scheme were identical twins Conall and Murray, 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 at the RUH, 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.”
The new service will be available every Wednesday for families whose babies are being cared for on the NICU and transitional care unit. Parents will be able to book their appointment directly through the hospital’s NICU staff.
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 as 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. By offering this service within the hospital, the RUH and the council hope to reduce stress and ensure families can stay together during the early days of their baby’s care.
Families who prefer can still register their baby’s birth at any of the register offices across Bath and North East Somerset.
Find out more about local registration services at www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/births-marriages-and-deaths/register-offices.
