NHS charity buys heated mattresses for Special Care Baby Unit

Above: Pictured with one of the heated mattresses are (from left) Healthcare Support Workers Sarah Allsworth and Louise Richards

Thanks to local donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities has purchased two heated mattresses for the Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital.

The pair of mattresses, which together cost nearly £5,000, help babies transition from an incubator to a normal cot.

Unit Manager Sandra Pegram said: “Premature and sick babies are nursed in incubators when they are first admitted to the unit. Once their condition has stabilised, the babies are transferred into a cot. But sometimes the babies need some extra heat to help them maintain their temperature and this can be achieved by the use of a heated mattress.

“Babies can develop problems with their blood sugar levels if they are not able to keep warm, which in turn can cause complications needing medical intervention. Active warming of preterm infants can reduce complications and improve outcomes, benefitting both the baby and the family.”

Pictured with one of the heated mattresses are (from left) Healthcare Support Workers Sarah Allsworth and Louise Richards.

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”