Issue - meetings

Dr Eugenia Cronin explained the aims, methodology and outcomes of the Breastfeeding Pathway Review.  As part of the review interviews had been held with health professionals, new mothers and support providers to ascertain why mothers were not breastfeeding.  Dr Cronin stated that breastfeeding had undisputed health benefits, in both the short and long-term, for baby and mother and breastfeeding also produced lower risks than formula feeding for the vast majority of mothers.  Although there had been some improvement towards the England average since 2008, the initiation and sustained breastfeeding rates in the Borough were the second lowest in outer north east London. 

Dr Cronin indicated that ten peer support volunteers had been identified and these volunteers were dedicated and of good quality.  However, the service support for these had recently transferred to Children’s Services and there were still some issues to be resolved in regards to management structure and reporting mechanisms to enable this peer support service to be more effective.  The decision to bottle or breastfeed was often taken long before pregnancy had occurred.  Dr Cronin stated this decision appeared to be associated with the lack of knowledge or perceived support for breastfeeding due to cultural pressure or conflicting / outdated information from friends and family. 

A more joined up approach between antenatal and health visitors was also required, which together with peer support networks could encourage and support more mothers to choose the breast over bottle.  Dr Cronin also cited the local infant feeding scheme, such as that operating in Redbridge, as a potential option for the future.

Anne Bristow, Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services, asked what the current status was in regard to midwives to UNICEF accreditation standards.  Dr Burgess, Interim Medical Director, BHRUT, advised that training within health and maternity services is progressing and staff were very keen to undertake the training and to press the breastfeeding benefits to clients.  Dr Burgess confirmed that he had spoken to the Director of Nursing and the issue was lack of funding at the present time, not lack of will, and he and Matthew Cole would report back on what actions would be needed to resolve this.

Councillor Turner asked if the data was available on a ward level so that services could see if there were particular GPs or Clinics that could be targeted with extra support.  Dr Cronin advised she would be happy to provide the local data she held.

Dr Goriparthi suggested that as there needed to be a generational shift in attitudes and suggested that the possibility of including the benefits of breastfeeding as part of school’s education / PHSE may need to be explored Dr Goriparthi also felt that training to UNICEF standards would be welcomed GPs and Practice Nurses.

The Chair asked if there was a timetable or action plan to look at the issues around breastfeeding.  Sharon Morrow advised that breastfeeding had been discussed at an away day in April and would become a prime issues for the Children and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22