Moulded mattresses are being used to guarantee disabled people in Hounslow a good night's sleep in a scheme shortlisted for a top award.

The sculpted support not only helps patients and their carers enjoy an undisturbed kip, it also corrects their posture, reducing the chance of them developing deformities.

Hounslow Wheelchair Service, which is run by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare (HRCH) NHS Trust, won funding for the initiative via a Dragons' Den-style initiative run by HRCH.

The innovative scheme has been shortlisted for a prestigious Health Service Journal award for compassionate patient care. The wheelchair service must now make its case to a judging panel later this month before the overall winner is announced at a ceremony in November.

Wheelchair service manager Sarah Brown said: "The introduction of these new sleep systems will positively influence patients' body posture and make a huge difference to their health and wellbeing.

"We are currently trialling a limited number of the sleep systems to patients with complex disabilities in the borough of Hounslow – and following this initial pilot scheme, we hope to provide evidence that will support expansion of this service to benefit the local community."

As well as the new tailored bed supports, Hounslow Wheelchair Service provides seating systems and wheelchairs for those with long-term mobility problems who often have very complex health needs.