Patients on Towy ward at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen are now using four new tilt-in-space chairs worth more than £10,000, funded entirely by donations from the local community through Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board.
Equipment designed for mobility and comfort
The chairs are designed to assist patients with mobility challenges, improving posture and providing pressure relief during prolonged periods of sitting. This allows patients to get out of bed earlier in their recovery, which is a key benefit for those with acute medical conditions.
Towy ward is a busy general medical unit that primarily cares for patients with acute medical conditions, including respiratory illnesses, cardiac issues, infections, and non-surgical problems. The innovative devices are expected to reduce deconditioning and aid rehabilitation by enabling earlier mobilisation.
Positive impact on patient experience
Angharad Davies, ward manager on Towy ward, said: “We are so grateful that kind donations have enabled us to purchase the chairs. The chairs will have a positive impact on patients’ experiences by enabling them to be sat out of bed sooner, which will help reduce deconditioning and aid rehabilitation.”
Davies added: “Having appropriate chairs for patients allows them to progress with their recovery, which has a positive impact not only on patients and their families, but also on the service.”
Gratitude for community generosity
Nicola Llewelyn, head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We are deeply grateful to everyone who donates to Hywel Dda Health Charities. Your generosity allows us to fund items like these which go beyond what the NHS can normally provide, and which really benefit patients.”
The chairs represent a significant addition to the ward’s equipment, funded entirely by public donations, and are expected to improve both patient comfort and clinical outcomes on the unit.
