New kit for Glangwili Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit

LOCAL donations have enabled Hywel Dda Health Charities to purchase a fantastic piece of kit for the Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital to help locate veins in babies.

The Astodia device uses an infrared light to highlight the centre of the vein, showing the doctors and nurses where to place and direct the needle when taking blood or inserting a cannula.

Unit Manager Sandra

Pegram said: “This is such a beneficial piece of equipment for the Special Care Baby Unit.

“Babies’ veins are often either small or deep, preventing health professionals from finding a site easily and quickly. When babies are undergoing blood tests and cannulation, this kit improves the experience of the baby and parents by minimising the need for more than one attempt.”

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.”

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go here

in the past. St John Ambulance Cymru are huge advocators for defibrillator awareness and access, working to increase confidence and educate in defibrillator use.

Following a cardiac arrest, a person’s survival chances are reduced by 10% for every passing minute without action. The quicker a defibrillator is on the scene, the more chance someone’s life can be saved.

make Pembrokeshire a safer place for all. Defibrillators can mean the difference between life and death, so we are happy to fund this vital piece of equipment.”

Pembrokeshire based, family company Evan Pritchard Contractors Ltd have recently donated a generous £1000 to Wales’ leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance Cymru, in support of their lifesaving work in communities across Wales. The donation was made to fund a new defibrillator for the area. Volunteers will bring this defibrillator along to events across West Wales ensuring that in an emergency, a potentially lifesaving piece of equipment is nearby.

The Pritchard family have a personal connection with St John Ambulance Cymru’s cause, after a family member was treated using a defibrillator

Evan Pritchard Contractors LTD’s donation will go towards keeping the local people of Pembrokeshire safe, providing the local St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers with a lifesaving piece of equipment. Mathew Pritchard, Managing Director at Evan Pritchard said “we hope this donation will help to

St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers provide support at some of West Wales’ most popular events, along with smaller, community led events. With the help of donations from community groups and businesses, the charity can continue to make communities in Wales safer places for all. If you’d like to find out how you can fundraise for St John Ambulance Cymru, then please visit www.sjacymru.org.uk/ fundraising or contact the fundraising team by calling 029 2044 9626 or via email at fundraising@sjacymru. org.uk.

THANKS to donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities has been able to purchase toiletries for in-patients across all Hywel Dda University Health Board sites.

The toiletries include toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, shampoo and conditioner.

Many patients that are admitted to hospital don’t have the financial means, or family support, to purchase essential hygiene products.

Honey Owens, Patient Experience Apprentice, said: “We are very grateful that charitable funds has enabled us to purchase these toiletries for inpatients across the health board.

“Having these toiletry items for patients is a huge benefit, they are able to practice good hygiene during their stay which can help them mentally and physically.”

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.”

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, click here