iHV supports RCPCH breastfeeding position statement

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) fully supports the new recommendations on supporting breastfeeding mothers published today by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), during World Breastfeeding Week (#WBW17). The new RCPCH recommendations show that social stigma is a major barrier to breastfeeding and more must be done to support women to continue to breastfeed beyond the first few weeks.

The new guidance, based on the latest research, aims to give practical advice on how long women should consider breastfeeding and makes the case for the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, as well as the cost savings to families and health services.

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, executive director of the Institute of Health Visiting, said:

“We warmly welcome this new guidance from RCPCH on supporting women to continue breastfeeding beyond the first few weeks. Breastfeeding is natural, but not all mums find it easy, and some mums cannot or choose not to do it, so we must respect that too. Mums often need support, and health visitors are one of the key healthcare professionals to help mothers establish breastfeeding through the universal health visiting service, but there is a need to educate the wider public and change the attitude and culture of society around it.”

The RCPCH recommendations include:

Governments in each nation to ensure familiarity with breastfeeding is included as part of statutory personal, social and health education in schools;
UK Government to legislate for employers to support breastfeeding through parental leave, feeding breaks and facilities suitable for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk;
Local breastfeeding support to be planned and delivered to mothers in the form of evaluated, structured programmes;
The NHS to ensure the preservation of universal midwifery services;
UK Governments to commit to adequate resourcing to preserve universal health visiting services;
Public Health England to develop a national strategy to change negative societal attitudes to breastfeeding;
Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Governments to review and evaluate their existing breastfeeding promotion plans;
The NHS in England and the Welsh Government to follow the lead of the Scottish Government and the NHS in Northern Ireland by requiring all maternity services to achieve and maintain UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation; this requirement is currently met by all maternity units in Scotland and Northern Ireland;
UK Government to reinstate the UK-wide Infant Feeding Survey, which was cancelled in 2015, to ensure reliable, comparable data on breastfeeding is recorded across the four nations;
All healthcare professionals should be aware of local and national support for breastfeeding mothers.

Dr Adams added:

“We at the iHV will be working with the RCPCH to support their campaign to improve breastfeeding in the UK to help women to continue breastfeeding beyond the first few weeks and help change societal attitudes by educating the wider public.”

iHV supports call for next UK Government to take urgent action on poverty

The iHV welcomes and supports the call from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Children Poverty Action Group (CPAG) on the next UK Government to take urgent action on poverty to ensure a healthier future for the UK’s infants, children and young people.

Poverty and low income is seriously affecting the health of UK children according to paediatricians – and any new Government must tackle health inequalities or risk storing up health problems for future generations. That’s according to a new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) launched today.

The report “Poverty and child health: views from the frontline” is based on a survey of more than 250 paediatricians across the country, whose comments provide an insight into the grave reality of life for the millions of UK children living in poverty.

Latest figures show that 30% (4 million) children in the UK live in poverty – with projections suggesting this could rise to 5 million by the end of the decade.

Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, executive director, iHV, commented:

“The iHV welcomes and supports the call from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Children Poverty Action Group (CPAG) on the next UK Government to take urgent action on poverty to ensure a healthier future for the UK’s infants, children and young people.

We particularly welcome the call to reverse public health cuts to ensure universal early years services, including health visiting and school nursing, are prioritised and supported financially, with additional targeted help for children and families experiencing poverty. The recent reduction in health visitor numbers impacts the vital support that babies, young children and families need at such a critical time in their lives – we want to ensure that every child has the best start in life.”

The report looks at a number of areas including food insecurity, poor housing and worry, stress and stigma – and their effect on the health of children. It reveals that:

More than two-thirds of paediatricians surveyed said poverty and low income contribute ‘very much’ to the ill health of children they work with
Housing problems or homelessness were a concern for two thirds of respondents.
More than 60% said food insecurity contributed to the ill health amongst children they treat 3
40% had difficulty discharging a child in the last 6 months because of concerns about housing or food insecurity
More than 50% of respondents said that financial stress and worry contribute ‘very much’ to the ill health of children they work with

The RCPCH and CPAG are calling on whoever forms the next Government to tackle poverty urgently through:

The restoration of binding national targets to reduce child poverty, backed by a national child poverty strategy.
The adoption of a ‘child health in all policies’ approach to decision making and policy development, with Her Majesty’s Treasury disclosing information about the impact of the Chancellor’s annual budget statement on child poverty and inequality.
The reversal of public health cuts to ensure universal early years services, including health visiting and school nursing, are prioritised and supported financially, with additional targeted help for children and families experiencing poverty.
The reversal of cuts to universal credit which will leave the majority of families claiming this benefit worse off.

Download full report (PDF, 1.1 MB) or read summary here.

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health confirmed as new keynote session

The iHV is delighted to announce the new keynote session for its evidence-based practice conference (taking place on 7 March) is the recently published State of Child Health Report 2017 from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

This landmark report into the State of Child Health calls for Government to introduce a comprehensive, national, child health and wellbeing strategy, reverse cuts to public health, and tighten controls over smoking, the sale of alcohol and advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

Join us on 7 March at our conference for this fantastic opportunity to listen as one of the report’s key clinical advisers presents the report and its findings, and then ask questions on the report during the panel discussion.

‘Mastering evidence-based practice in health visiting‘ takes place in Birmingham – it is a high quality practice-focused conference with a range of masterclasses for all health visitors. Perfect for experienced health visitors, newly qualified health visitors, health visitor practice teachers, student health visitors, team leaders and managers – all conference delegates will receive 5 CPD points.

Updated programme details are now available with keynote speaker plus experts, masterclasses and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2017
Time: 09:30 – 16:00
Venue: Conference Aston, Birmingham

Conference fees:
Delegate places are available to book now – including members’ discount

iHV Members: £125
iHV Non-Members: £155

All fees include full attendance at the conference pus all refreshments, lunch and delegate materials. They also include VAT at the current rate of 20%.

Last few places available – so hurry – book your place now to gain your 5 CPD points

Four ways to book – choose the easiest way for you:

Download and return the completed registration form to: Profile Productions Ltd, Boston House, 69 – 75 Boston Manor Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9JJ
Book online
Call: 020 3725 5840

Email direct to: [email protected]