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Mothers not getting fed

Posted By De21

"Mothers not getting fed"

About: Daisy Hill Hospital / Daisy Paediatric Ward

(as a service user),

My daughter was admitted to daisy Hill hospital 3 times in the first 1yr of her life. Longest stay was 10 days, she was 4 weeks old and had sepsis so was extremely ill. During this time I was breastfeeding so I was entitled to being fed by the hospital.

On the other 2 stays I was not entitled to food as I was asked to stop breastfeeding to rule out any issues with myself. I had gone 36hrs without food at one stage as I couldn't leave my baby. My partner is a nurse so he was unable to visit us as often as he would have liked. They also weren't keen on visits due to covid.

I feel any parent staying by themselves especially, with a sick child should be offered hospital meals! 

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Responses

Response from Bernie McGibbon, Head of Service, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Bernie McGibbon
Head of Service, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 23/07/2021 at 16:42
Published on Care Opinion at 16:42

Hello De21

Thank you for taking the time to share your views of your experience with us in relation to the provision of meals in this current situation. I am truly sorry that you went so long without food and I do know that this does not sit comfortably with nursing colleagues; they do raise this almost on a daily basis. These constraints have been put in place due to Infection Prevention and Control advice.

I would like to advise that I have raised this issue with senior management seeking a resolution. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

Kind Regards

Bernie

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Update posted by De21 (a service user)

Hi Bernie,

Thank you for your response!

I am a little confused by "These constraints have been put in place due to Infection Prevention and Control advice"?

Is their not the same thought on prevention and control then on all parents? I feel that women or men that are not breastfeeding are being discriminated against.

The nursing staff where amazing and embarrassed by not being able to offer meals.

Response from Bernie McGibbon, Head of Service, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 4 years ago
Bernie McGibbon
Head of Service, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 26/07/2021 at 17:51
Published on Care Opinion at 17:51

Hi De21

Previous to Covid we had a room where parents could access facilities to make cup of tea/coffee and heat food. There was also access to the hospital canteen and the coffee dock where soup/rolls /toasted sandwiches etc. were all available. Parents and Grandparents were able to come and provide relief but Covid has restricted so much and created so many challenges with all of these arrangements no longer available or accessible; these are the constraints I was referring to.

The initiative for providing meals to breastfeeding Mums is a regional decision and in keeping with baby friendly standards to promote breast feeding and driven by Bliss and Tiny Life. This is the same practice for all breastfeeding Mums across the province.

I have escalated your concerns on discrimination to senior management team.

Regards

Bernie

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