Specialist bed provides extra safety for children

Children with complex needs can now use a specialist bed which gives them an extra layer of safety at Scunthorpe hospital.

The Health Tree Foundation (HTF) – the hospital’s official charity – has funded the safe space bed on the Disney Ward. It is designed for children with complex needs including autism and epilepsy.

The bed makes it safe for children to sleep at night as the way it is designed means they are unable to climb out. This not only protects the child but also offers comfort to parents too.

Colin Howsam knows first-hand how good this bed is as his daughter, Tilly, has used it when she’s been in hospital.

He said: “Normally, you cannot leave your child’s side for one minute but with this bed, you feel they are safe. The staff are busy and you cannot always be by their bedside. Tilly has used the bed before and loves it as she has one at home too. I think they are a godsend.”

Colin runs a group called Tilly’s Dream which raises money for travel safe space beds so parents can take them on holiday.

Beverley Chesman, children’s complex needs nurse, said: “I submitted a ‘wish’ to the HTF to get this bed. We get a lot of children with sensory issues who could benefit from that secure space. Parents can find it quite difficult to sleep as they’re worried their child might try and climb out of the bed. The parents have really welcomed the bed.”

Emma Hartley, Scunthorpe’s community champion for HTF, said: “It is fantastic that we’ve been able to fund this bed, which makes such a difference to patients and their families.”