Dr Johannes Letshwiti, Consultant Neonatologist; Brid O'Brien, Clinical Nurse Manager with Lorraine and Karl Darcy from Corrandulla with their babies Briain and Caoimhe in one of the twin cots in the Neonatal Unit at UHG.

Corrandulla twins snuggle up in new special care cots

Published: Wed 21 Aug 2019, 1:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 21 Aug 2019, 3:53 PM

TWINS from Corrandulla were among the first babies to use new twin cots at the Neonatal Unit in University Hospital Galway (UHG).
The two twin cots have been bought by the hospital using funds that were donated by parents and members of the local community.
There are about 55 sets of twins born in UHG every year and a number of these would need to spend time in the special care of the Neonatal (Newborn) Unit.
The twin cots help provide additional comfort to twins so that they can continue to stay close to their sibling, just as they had done so during the mother’s pregnancy.
Dr Johannes Letshwiti, Consultant Neonatologist at the hospital, said, “Around 15 per cent of all babies born in UHG spend time in the Neonatal Unit for a variety of reasons and it is wonderful to have twin cots available as needed for the twins that spend time with us.
“On a few occasions so far, we’ve had both twin cots in use at the same time.”
He said the unit was very grateful for the ongoing support of parents of babies who have used the service and the local community.
“We are delighted to have twin cots in our Neonatal Unit. For the babies who are suited to spending time in the twin cots, they can continue to experience the close proximity to their baby sister or brother that they had before birth,” added Dr Letshwiti.