Yeovil's maternity unit wins prestigious UNICEF award

Yeovil District Hospital has been awarded the prestigious UNICEF Baby Friendly Award winning international recognition from the United Nation’s Children’s Fund for the care it gives to mums and babies.

Associate Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Neil Tomlin said: "We decided to join forces with UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers and babies at the Yeovil Maternity Unit, in the Special Care Baby Unit as well as those who use other clinical areas across the hospital. We are absolutely delighted to have been given this award as we are only one of a few maternity units in the South West to have been recognised in this way. It is very much down to the hard work of all our maternity staff and I would like to thank them.”

Breastfeeding Specialist Midwife, Sallyann Batestone added: "Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as allergies and diabetes in childhood. We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of some cancers. It is also easier, cheaper and less hassle than bottle feeding.”

The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies. In the UK, the initiative works with health professionals to ensure that mothers and babies receive high-quality support to enable successful breastfeeding. The Award is given to maternity units and other health facilities after an assessment by a UNICEF team has shown that recognised best practice standards are in place.

Baby Friendly Initiative Programme Director, Sue Ashmore said: "We are delighted that Yeovil District Hospital has achieved full Baby Friendly status. Surveys show us that most mothers want to breastfeed but don’t always get the support they need. Mothers and their babies at Yeovil can be confident that their midwives, nurses and doctors will provide the highest standard of care.”

For further information please contact:

Head of Communications at Yeovil District Hospital, Debbie Pugh-Jones on 01935 384233 or UNICEF UK Press Office on 020 7430 0162 or go to

www.babyfriendly.org.uk