 News
11th October 2006
Anger over decision to axe specialist midwife post
Hospital bosses in a North London Trust are under fire after announcing
proposals to cut senior nursing positions, including that of the only
Infant Feeding Specialist.
Bella Dale is a specialist midwife and runs the Antenatal
Education and Breastfeeding Support at Barnet Hospital.
She is the only midwife whose job is to offer breastfeeding
advice and antenatal care and has worked for the Trust for over 20 years.
Despite being a runner-up in the 2004 Evening Standard NHS
Champions Awards, hospital bosses at Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust are
proposing to axe her post which they have described as 'non-business critical'.
The move has angered local mothers who have launched a petition
to keep Bella's post within the hospital.
One local mum who launched the petition says, "I am
outraged that the hospital bosses are considering cutting the Infant Feeding
Specialist post.
"Bella Dale's experience, expertise and enthusiasm
in the area of breastfeeding provide vital resources to the hospital and
the community it serves.
"The breastfeeding support I received from Bella in
the first few months of my son’s life was invaluable.
"I am convinced that there must be thousands of other
local families who have benefited tremendously from the support Bella
offers."
Britain has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the
world despite research proving 'breast is best' for both mother and baby.
Current statistics show that 90 per cent of women who give
up breastfeeding in the first six weeks, do so reluctantly because of
lack of confidence and support.
However, a hospital spokesman stressed that the staff were
not going to be made redundant, but redeployed throughout the two hospitals.
He added, "This is about ensuring that we deliver the best
service."
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