Direct Healthcare Services (DHS) is to establish Europe’s first research and testing facility to meet new worldwide ISO standards for this medical market sector.

The investment at its Caerphilly facility is supported by £50,000 from the Welsh Government’s Growth and Prosperity Fund and will create ten jobs and safeguard a further 56.

The project costs to fit out the facility with machinery and equipment are part of a wider £600K cap ex investment the company is making.

The new ISO standards for the testing of mattresses and overlays used in treatment encompass all mattresses used in hospitals including trolley and theatre mattresses as well as mattresses used in patients’ homes.

The global standards are expected to come into operation this year with the only testing facility currently available based in the USA.

Direct Healthcare Services (DHS) will work closely with the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre to create the new facility to ensure all its products comply with the new standards and ensure it retains its market leading position.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“DHS is a Welsh success story, founded in 2009 with just three members of staff it now employs more than 100 people and is the largest volume supplier of mattresses to the NHS and rapidly growing their international exports with an office in Australia.

Innovation is at the heart of DHS’ success and this is a key expansion project that will ensure its continued growth.

DHS is a valued member of the growing Welsh cluster of wound care companies – a priority sub sector for life sciences and I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting this investment.”