Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Can the Minister of State tell me if Trinity engaged with the baby friendly health initiative during that review? The baby friendly health initiative is an international benchmark and I am concerned as to whether there has been adequate consultation in this regard. I know some of the voluntary hospitals are continuing with the baby friendly health initiative, which is not just about breastfeeding, but about supporting and developing best work practices in our hospitals in so far as babies are concerned. Pardon the phrase, but we have policies coming out of our behinds with regard to breastfeeding but very little action. We have one lactation specialist for every 8,000 babies born whereas the recommendation worldwide is to have one for every 1,000 births. The Limerick hospital is the exception in this country in terms of best practice.

I ask the Minister of State to at least ensure the HSE engages with the baby friendly health initiative. I would like to see further details in regard to the Trinity study, in particular who exactly was consulted. As I said, the baby friendly health initiative is not just about breastfeeding and if it was reviewed within that narrow prism, that is why we got the result we did. I question why something that was maintained right through the austerity years is being cut at this stage.