Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
U-turn on cuts to breastfeeding aid
Campaigners fighting to protect vital breastfeeding services in Canterbury fear a shock U-turn by council chiefs could be an underhand way of winning public support.
On Friday, Kent County Council leader Paul Carter unexpectedly halted a consultation into plans to drastically scale back services across the county.
The proposals, which include limiting access to specialist support, was met with huge public outcry with thousands signing a petition demanding the provision be protected.
But as dozens of mums gathered in Dane John Gardens on Friday to raise awareness of breastfeeding, Cllr Carter announced the consultation was being temporarily postponed and relaunched in September following a review.
He claims in its current format it has caused confusion and “does not fully articulate what is intended”.
Campaigners warn this could simply be a move to re-word the document in a more positive way to try to win over the public.
They also question whether responses already submitted will be taken into account by KCC.
Hannah Croft, breastfeeding counsellor and co-founder of Save Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay Breastfeeding Support Groups, says she is in two minds.
“It’s an encouraging sign that we’ve rattled them but I’m concerned about what the new consultation will say,” she said.
“It could just be re-worded in a way so people will be more open to supporting the plans.
“I’m also concerned about people who have already filled in the consultation – will their views be listened to by KCC?
“People need to keep signing the petition.”
The council’s proposal, launched on July 18, was to cut back Kent’s 40 weekly groups and limit access to specialist help from lactation consultants and breastfeeding counsellors.
Such support is available at Little Hands children centre in Wincheap and there are also advice groups run at Herne Bay’s Poppy Centre and Joy Lane in Whitstable.
Under the plan, Whitstable would lose its group altogether and support from specialists in the district would be on an appointment-only basis.
The move would save KCC £400,000 a year.
Keep Kent Breastfeeding campaigner Tannice Hemming says the cuts would be catastrophic.
“They say they are removing it to re-write it, but why wasn’t it clear to begin with?” she said.
“I’m very concerned this means all the consultation responses they’ve received so far won’t be counted and they’re hoping we won’t be able to galvanise responses in the same way again.”
Cllr Carter says KCC is determined to deliver comprehensive breastfeeding support through its health visiting team, which this year has seen a £21 million investment.
“By almost doubling the number of health visitors, we now have the capacity to reshape the health visiting service alongside enhanced breastfeeding support,” he said.
He insists all feedback received so far will be taken into account.
He said: “We are determined to deliver an enhanced breastfeeding advice service and are prepared to take extra time in rewording the consultation document to make our intentions clear and set out our proposals with absolute clarity.”
Canterbury Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who described the proposed cuts as atrocious, says she is delighted KCC has listened to people’s concerns but will continue to support families campaigning for the best possible infant feeding support.
More than 70 mums attended the Big Latch On event in Dane John as part of a national initiative to mark World Breastfeeding Week.
The UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, despite the health benefits.