HOSPITALS in Gloucestershire have landed a 'baby friendly' status after winning international recognition for services.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been re-accredited with the status, for its maternity services at Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General, Stroud Maternity Unit and the Forest of Dean Community hospitals.
It is the third year county hospitals have won recognition from UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.
Infant Feeding Specialist Midwife Sue Maxwell said: "We are required by BFI to regularly submit audits to ensure we are maintaining the high standards they require and they have asked us to submit additional audits to cover the two small areas we were slightly low on during this assessment.
"We are delighted with the positive feedback we received following the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) assessment.
"All our staff are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of their role in supporting mothers to breast feed successfully.
"Staff have really supported the initiative and worked tremendously hard to ensure success.
"We are pleased that Stroud Maternity Unit, Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals are being recognised for our work to promote and support mothers across the county."
The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme.
In the UK, the initiative works with health professionals to ensure that mothers and babies receive high-quality support to facilitate successful breastfeeding.
The award is given to maternity services after a rigorous assessment by a UNICEF team showed that recognised best practice standards were in place.
