Medicash is excited to announce the next partner hospital in its £2.1 million initiative aimed at bolstering NHS hospitals and facilities across the North West. This significant grant from the Medicash Foundation, the charitable arm of the UK’s largest provider of corporate health cash plans, will fund a crucial nursing post at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital focusing on infant feeding for the next four years.

The newly funded position will play a pivotal role in the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), a global programme in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, dedicated to supporting families in feeding their infants and nurturing close, loving relationships. The BFI assists organisations in maximizing breastfeeding opportunities by establishing standards and providing a roadmap for continuous improvement.

Originally, the BFI standards were developed to support families and babies in their first days and weeks of life, particularly those accessing neonatal care. However, staff at Alder Hey, alongside other national experts, have been working with the BFI to adapt these standards for older babies and infants in children’s services. The new nursing post will enable Alder Hey to pilot and implement the next phase of this vital initiative, offering additional feeding support to families utilising their services.

Nathan Askew, Chief Nurse at Alder Hey, emphasised the importance of this initiative:

“All children deserve the best start in life, and we know from research the vital role that breastfeeding can play in this. Breast milk not only contains essential nutrition for infants but also benefits the immune system and strengthens parental bonding.”

Although breastfeeding rates in the UK are rising, they remain lower than in many European countries, with Liverpool falling below the national average. Several factors influence breastfeeding rates, but it is hoped that through the Baby Friendly Initiative children’s hospital pilot, Alder Hey will be able to make a significant impact.

Askew continues:

“This initiative has already profoundly affected maternity and neonatal units, and we look forward to working with local families to positively influence breastfeeding practices in the future. By providing specialist support to families during their time with us, we ensure that these babies will receive the best possible start in life.”

Sue Weir, Chief Executive of Medicash and Medicash Foundation Trustee added:

“We are excited to be involved in such an important project, that will have a real and positive impact on the lives of future generations in Liverpool and beyond. This builds on our recent partnership with the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and we look forward to working with more hospitals across the North West over the coming years. I’m delighted that as a business we are able to fund such important projects and witness the incredible impact they have within both their local communities and further afield.”