Local donations have enabled Hywel Dda Health Charities to purchase a fantastic piece of kit for the Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.

Babies’ veins are often either small or deep, preventing health professionals from finding a site easily and quickly. The Astodia device helps locate veins in babies. It 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.

“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 to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk