A HAMPSHIRE baby separated from her parents because of a shortage of incubators is now nearer home.

Three-week-old Emily Dunn has been transferred from St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, to St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth. It's making life a little easier for her parents.

Kerryanne Dunn and Geoff Taylor, both 21, of Spinney Dale, Hythe, pictured above, will now be able to see her more often.

As reported in Saturday's Daily Echo, Emily was born nine weeks early and weighed just 1lb 10 ounces.

A shortage of incubators for premature babies meant Kerryanne was unable to give birth in Southampton and was taken to St Michael's, the nearest hospital where all the necessary equipment was available.

The distance involved meant Geoff and Kerryanne could see Emily once or twice a week. Each visit involved a 120-mile round trip by bus and train that took virtually all day and cost them £30 each in fares. Now Emily has been moved to Portsmouth.

Kerryanne said: "It's good news, but it's not Southampton and that's where she should be.

"Travelling to Portsmouth will still involve a bus and train journey."

Emily is likely to remain in St Mary's until August 5 the day she was originally due to have been born.

Kerryanne added: "I don't think they'll move her again but I hope to see her at least every other day."

A Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust spokesman said: "We have every sympathy with parents who have to travel long distances to access special care for their new-born babies.

"Our neonatal unit is being extended to become one of the largest in the country in recognition of this problem."