Hospital's neonatal unit recognised with award

Staff at The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit in Gillingham are celebrating being recognised with a new award

A hospital's neonatal unit has been recognised for improving the care of mothers and babies and helping to increase breastfeeding rates.

The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit in Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital has been awarded level three accreditation by Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI).

The award comes after a visit to the unit in January 2024 and recognises its work to support women around the importance of breastfeeding.

Sarah Clarke, matron at the neonatal unit, said she was "extremely proud of the whole team", and that the reward reflects their "ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers and babies on the unit".

The initiative is part of a partnership between Unicef and the World Health Organization which works with public services in the UK.

Claire Dawson, part of the infant feeding team at Medway Maritime Hospital, said: "Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life.

"We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby.

"On the unit, we make every effort to support families to form a close and loving relationship, whatever their choice of feeding method, as this is the best start for every baby."

The neonatal unit, which was awarded level two accreditation in 2022, will be re-assessed every two years to ensure standards.