NHS trust provides a haven for new mums
NORTHUMBRIA Healthcare NHS Trust has become the first in the North East to provide special rooms for staff just back from maternity leave to express breast milk.
The Trust has announced the rooms – which it has called “safe havens” – will be available at each of its hospital sites for staff.
It also said it was committed to ensuring that breastfeeding staff had the time to express milk in addition to their usual breaks.
Jenna Wall, the Trust’s Head of Midwifery said: “This is a huge step forward for the trust in terms of the support provided to breastfeeding employees returning from maternity leave. We are committed to supporting women across Northumberland and North Tyneside along their breastfeeding journey, it is only right that we extend this support to our own members of staff too.”
Northumbria Healthcare runs hospitals including the Northumbria Specialist and Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, and district hospitals in Hexham, Wansbeck and North Tyneside.
The Trust said the decision was motivated by the fact that breastfeeding has both short and longterm benefits for new mums and their babies.
It said it had “an ethos to actively support and encourage all employees to treat breastfeeding as a normal activity within the workplace” and to create an “inclusive culture for all”.
The new rooms – furnished by the Trust’s Bright charity – have reclining chairs and sofas, storage for breastfeeding equipment and a kitchenette with fridge. Nicole Contogiorgi, Public Health Operations Services Manager added: “The wellbeing of our staff continues to be a priority for us, especially in the current climate. Providing facilities to enable staff to give the next generation the best start in life is very important to us and we are delighted to be able to offer this space.”