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54 Neonatal Unit 2020 | NMH Annual Rep t I n 2020 we welcomed 1,240 babies into the Neonatal Unit 8. We cared for 117 babies born <1.5kg and continued to contribute their clinical data to the Vermont Oxford Network. Tertiary-level NICU care was provided for babies from all over Ireland. Therapeutic hypothermia was provided in NMH for 13 babies (8 inborn and 5 outborn infants). Lower admission numbers for the year reflect our efforts to minimise risk of transmission of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. While continuing to ensure the most vulnerable babies received the necessary care and to avoid separation of mother and baby we aimed to reduce footfall into the Unit and to achieve timely discharge. Faced with the global pandemic, the courage and resilience of our staff was second to none. Despite depleted staff numbers, we adapted to new processes and infection control precautions. Hallmarks of the year included: changes in infrastructure and work practices; introduction of virtual clinics, meetings and teaching platforms; and improved communication strategies. We succeeded in altering and optimising air-flow in the Unit Neonatal Unit to provide a negative-pressure environment for 16 cot spaces. A multidisciplinary group was established to improve communication between patients and staff and to bridge gaps caused by restricted visitation to the Unit. Coined 'CommuNICU' by Dr Emma Dunne, strategies included use of Angel-eye cameras, daily pictures and journals of progress sent to parents, as well as regular scheduled phone calls from doctors and dietitians. Notwithstanding high levels of COVID-19 transmission in the community and significant levels of infection amongst our staff these precautions protected our babies. We are immensely proud that no babies tested positive for COVID-19 in our hospital in 2020. In this respect, on behalf of the staff, I wish to acknowledge the expert advice and support provided to the Unit by our Clinical Microbiologist, Dr Susan Knowles. In addition to our clinical activity and despite constraints imposed by the pandemic, teaching and research activity continued within the Unit. Dr Emma Dunne continues as UCD tutor in Neonatology. In 2020, Emma won the inaugural Holles St. Colm O'Herlihy Medal for Research. Emma's PhD research