Macclesfield District General Hospital - Glideaway Beds

We have been approached by the children's unit at Macclesfield District Hospital for help in providing folding beds to allow parents to stay next to their child's bed during an overnight stay. These beds have been used in other hospitals in the region and are comfortable and convenient.

Facilities such as this do not fit in to NHS statutory funding, and so without the support of charitable organisations, there is no possibility of being able to provide these beds.

The ward staff feel it is very important that every child has the opportunity to have a parent or carer with them when staying overnight on the unit. A stay in hospital can be a traumatic experience for anyone, and for a child being separated from family can add to that.

There is evidence that having family around can significantly improve recovery rates. At present, the ward does not have sufficient facilities for parents to stay with their child.

Each bed costs £500 and up to ten are required giving a total project cost of £5,000.