Houses open to support parents of Gwent's tiniest patients
This morning (22nd March 2023) saw the official opening of two houses in Llanfrechfa that have been refurbished by the Health Board to provide accommodation for families whilst their baby is receiving treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Grange University Hospital.
10% of babies born in the UK are born prematurely or needing some support from NICU wards across the country, in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area that equate to around 500 babies a year. This is an incredibly stressful time for parents often travelling between home and the hospital wanting to be near to their baby but often with other children back home. These houses provide a home from home.
Samantha, whose son Toby has been in NICU for five weeks, has been staying in one of the houses since it opened to families three weeks ago. “At first, I was getting taxi’s back and forth which was £35 each way so a huge financial cost. But now I’m staying here I’m closer to the baby and get that bit of respite from the hospital. Coming back here feels a bit more home from home really and a big weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Samantha who is staying at the house with her older son Beaux, last week even held his first birthday party at the homely environment.
Since the doors opened to families the two three bed houses have been full with families. Samantha said; “We’re all going through the same thing, it’s nice to talk to people in the same boat and you can share your experience with each other. And most of them have been and gone home so that helps me know there’s that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”
Sue Papworth, Consultant Neonatologist, spoke at the event; “It allows the families to take a breather, come off the unit and spend some time where it feels more like being at home. Sit in the garden, have a family meal, watch tv but still be within a few minutes’ walk of your baby.”
“It’s also really important for the babies to receive their own mum’s milk and this environment really makes it easier for parents to feel comfortable expressing and provide a relaxing environment to encourage that milk production in an otherwise very stressful time.”
The Dragons RFC Head Coach, Dai Flanagan came along to the event to take a tour of the house and meet some of the parents. Dragons RFC are big supporters of the Dinky Dragon’s, a support group set up for NICU parents at the Grange University Hospital.
Dai said; “I’ve been really impressed by the facility first and foremost and also love the idea and the logic behind the house, which is here to help the families. As a club this is so important to us, we’ve got a lot of players expecting children soon, with an agree bracket of our players between 18 and 33 it is great to know this facility is here in the region. It's great to see the support it gives to families I’ve been chatting to a young parent today who has been staying here while her son is in the unit and it means that she can be close to the important people in her life and limit the time and money travelling back and for.”
Thank you to all those who have worked incredibly hard to complete these houses and strive to make this difficult time for our families that bit better. Thank you also to ASDA Cwmbran who donates cakes for the official opening today.