Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (SHFT) Health Visiting service has been re-awarded Gold status for UNICEF’s UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI).
The Trust was highly commended by the BFI for the way care-related Baby Friendly standards had been planned and implemented. The BFI ‘enables public services to better support families with feeding and developing close and loving relationships so that all babies get the best possible start in life’.
Karen Sheldon, Infant Feeding Lead, said: “This is a massive achievement. It reflects the continued hard work and dedication from our teams, who have embraced the Baby Friendly culture and continue to provide a quality service which is valued by our families.”
One Winchester breastfeeding group attendee, Emily Durani, said: “The practitioner was like an angel, arriving at just the right time when I was having feeding difficulties. She was very kind, caring, shared her knowledge and offered appropriate support."
If you are struggling with feeding or any other aspect of parenting and would like support and advice you can contact SHFT nurses via our ChatHealth text messaging service. Find all the details on our website https://www.hampshirehealthyfamilies.org.uk/chathealth.
SHFT Health Visiting has been Gold standard since October 2021.
ENDS