Parents have praised the opening of a brand-new special care baby unit after their son was born prematurely.

Chloe Dawkins, 31, gave birth to her son, Willis Wilton at 28 weeks after going into spontaneous labour.

Willis was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as he required respiratory support, which was gradually withdrawn as his condition improved.

His mum and dad Scott were able to sleep overnight and visit him in a newly unveiled special care baby unit (SCBU) at Princess Anne Hospital.

Speaking to the Echo, Chloe said: “We’ve seen first-hand the difference the staff and the ward makes.

"I think we’ve been in every room in the ward, Willis needed a lot of help, and the staff were amazing with him.

Chloe Dawkins (left), Scott Wilton (right), and baby Willis Wilton (Image: Matt Davey) “I’m not sure what the outcome would have been for Willis if it wasn’t for the staff and the facilities they have here – where he was born so early – but they’ve got him to come home before his due date. He was so tiny when he was born and now, he’s tripled in size.

“We couldn’t be happier that he’s home for Christmas but here it has been a home from home, we’ve been able to sleep overnight whenever we’ve wanted, have visited whenever we’ve wanted – the babies can get one-to-one attention, and the nurses aren’t so overrun.”

READ MORE: New Special Care Baby Unit opens at Princess Anne Hospital

This week has seen the unveiling of the SCBU at the hospital’s Woodlands Ward, a £10m facility that cares for the region’s sickest babies.

The unit was previously located in one room inside the NICU but now has its own dedicated floor with 12 cot spaces across three rooms, four family integrated care rooms, and a washing up and kitchen area.

Amanda Gorse, senior sister at the SCBU, added: “It’s bee a long-time coming so we’re glad to finally be able to utilise this space.

“It’s vital for parents to have their own space with their children who are receiving treatment at the hospital and to be able to have sleeping areas and everything you could need with nurses on hand is really beneficial to all involved.”