NHS Lothian’s Health Visiting and Family Nurse Partnership Services are delighted to be endorsed, once again, by UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative. Having met all of the criteria, the team’s accreditation is further proof of the excellent care and attention provided by NHS Lothian staff.
The Baby Friendly Initiative’s mission is to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers and families in the UK, as part of a wider global partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
The staged accreditation programme is designed to enable health professionals to help mothers build a close and loving relationship with their baby during that busy first stage. The programme also helps provide the support all mothers need for breastfeeding.
Staff, managers and mothers were interviewed in the assessment. Checks were done on the training that all staff have received, what information is supplied to mothers and the management processes that are in place.
It was found that all staff were enthusiastic and knowledgeable and had an excellent understanding of the resources available for mothers. The vast majority of staff also described how they would have sensitive, mother centred conversations, to help provide reassurance and support for new mothers.
The Infant Feeding team was also highly valued and respected by the managers and staff respectively and praised for their commitment, teamwork and phenomenal support.
Moyra Burns, NHS Lothian Lead for Maternal & Infant Nutrition said, “This has been a difficult time for many due to the pandemic. It has been especially hard for pregnant woman and those becoming new mothers over this time.
“Despite the various issues, our Community and Family Nurse staff have worked incredibly hard, with support from our maternity colleagues, to ensure that the care, attention and ongoing support woman and babies receive is of the highest standard.
“Our outstanding results, when UNICEF interviewed new mothers and our staff, show the commitment and dedication we give to this work. I would like to congratulate our community and family nurse staff on this achievement.”
100% of mothers who were interviewed reported that they were treated with kindness and a caring approach at all times.
Margaret Duncan from Edinburgh is one of those mothers who has used the service recently with her three month old baby, Emily She said: “My Health Visitor Gill has been so good and so helpful. When she comes to visit she spends time to explain everything in detail and so well, to help me make the right choices for Emily. She is fantastic.”
Janet Dalzell, Professional Lead for Scotland, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative describes the importance of being accredited and the benefits of breastfeeding, she said: “Implementation of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly (BFI) standards in the UK provides a quality assurance and change management programme for infant feeding in maternity, neonatal, community and university settings.
“NHS Lothian health visiting and family nurse services external BFI reassessment demonstrated excellent care for pregnant women and new mothers. All of the mothers reported staff to be kind and considerate at all times and the majority were very happy with their care. There is strong leadership and support for improving support for breastfeeding mothers to continue to breastfeed.
“Breastfeeding reduces childhood obesity and improves child health and has life-long benefits to the health outcomes of that individual. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of gastroenteritis, inner ear and lower respiratory tract and urinary infections.”
For more information on breastfeeding support for mothers please visit: https://services.nhslothian.scot/feedingyourbaby/Pages/Breastfeeding.aspx
