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Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy . An example of successful partnership working March 2010 . About me. Donah Francis Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy Co-ordinator 0208 921 2537 Donah.francis@greenwich.gov.uk. Why breastfeeding?. Breastfeeding and health inequalities.
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Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy An example of successful partnership working March 2010
About me Donah Francis Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy Co-ordinator 0208 921 2537 Donah.francis@greenwich.gov.uk
Breastfeeding and health inequalities Breastfed babies born to mothers of lower socio-economic groups have better health outcomes than those babies born to mothers from higher socio-economic groups who are formula fed. Forster S (2004).
National recommendations and policy priorities • Exclusive breastfeeding for six months – followed by continued breast milk, whilst introducing a more varied diet after this time • Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives (Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2008) Health Inequalities – progress and next steps (Department of Health, 2008) Implementation Plan for Reducing Health Inequalities in Infant Mortality: a good practice guide (Department of Health, 2007)
Performance drivers and national targets • PSA 12: Improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people - five key indicators including increasing breastfeeding prevalence at 6–8 weeks (PSA 12.1) and reducing childhood obesity (PSA 12.3) • Vital Signs Monitoring System Indicator (VSB11) and National Indicator Set (NI) 53 – % infants breastfed at 6–8 weeks is included in the NHS Operating Framework (2008-11) and in the National Indicator Set for Local Area Agreements
Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy Partnership • Greenwich Council: Integrated Support, Children and Families • NHS Greenwich: Public Health and Wellbeing • Greenwich Community Health Services: Public Health Community Nursing Services for Children, Young People and Families • South London Healthcare NHS Trust (Queen Elizabeth Hospital): the Maternity Dept. and Neonatal Unit • Greenwich University: School of Health and Social Care
Vision To enable all pregnant women in Greenwich to make an informed choice about how they choose to feed their baby - and that if they choose to breastfeed, that they are adequately supported to do so.
Key programmes of work • Quality of care • Support in the community • Raising the profile • Public policy • Data collection
UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative • A worldwide initiative which aims to improve quality of care for breastfeeding by implementing best practice standards • Established in 1998 by WHO, Geneva • Acknowledged by NICE and DH (2008)
Local achievements • First in the country to undertake the UNICEF UK BFI co-ordinated approach (2005) • The first borough in London to gain a Stage 1 award (2007) • The first to be awarded Stage 2 for the community in London (2008)
Joint workingGreenwich Council and Greenwich Community Health Services/ NHS Greenwich • Breastfeeding drop-in groups held in local Children’s Centres • Breastfeeding Advocates who work geographically and are aligned to set Children’s Centres • Training for staff – Children’s Centres (25), Nurseries (44) and Registered Child Minders (447) • Adoption of Volunteer Policy to support a local peer support programme
Joint working (cont.)Greenwich Council and Greenwich Community Health Services/ NHS Greenwich • Local policy which supports breastfeeding in all public services buildings • Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy Group Meeting chaired on rotation • The Breastfeeding Team currently housed in Greenwich Council with Integrated Support, Children and Families • Direct input into local Children’s and Young Peoples Plan, LAA’s, Safeguarding Inspections etc.
Barriers to partnership working • Working productively against the back-drop of organisational change and poor staffing levels • Implementing change across services with competing agendas and priorities • All-inclusiveness and good communication across all departments and services
Breastfeeding prevalence at 6-8 weeks across neighbouring PCTs in South London
Priorities for 2010/11 • Continue to improve clinical care and support • Better postnatal support: • between transfer home and new birth visit • review of community drop-in groups • Better insight and targeted support for those women least likely to breastfeed