A PREMATURE baby who had to be born in Sheffield because of a shortage of intensive care cots in Huddersfield has finally been found a bed closer to home.

Little Joseph Wake was born on September 24, weighing just 3lbs 2oz, at Jessops Hospital in Sheffield.

Joseph, who has been diagnosed with a heart defect, has now been found a space on the special care baby unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.

He will stay for 10 weeks until his parents Roy and Adele can take him home.

Adele, from Milnsbridge, had been due to give birth 11 weeks later at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

She went there in labour but had to be transferred by ambulance to Sheffield because there were no intensive care cots free in the special care baby units at Halifax or Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Mr and Mrs Wake are delighted their first child is now closer to home.

Mr Wake said: “He’s gone to Halifax and it’s really good to have him nearer home.”

The couple had been concerned about the lack of neo-natal intensive care beds in our area – there are currently three each at Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

These – along with 20 general special care baby beds – will be based at Halifax from next year, when all consultant-led maternity services move from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust said the lack of a place for Joseph had been due to high demand for neo-natal intensive care beds on the day.