Scotland-wide breast milk donor bank opens in Glasgow

The new facility will be able to provide donor milk to babies across Scotland

A breast milk donor bank for vulnerable babies has been opened at Glasgow's Southern General Maternity unit.

The new facility replaces the old milk bank which had been running at the city's Sick Children's Hospital at Yorkhill since 1978.

It will allow donor milk to be offered to more babies across Scotland.

Milk banks are important as premature babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk are more likely to contract serious infections.

Clinical lead for the donor milk bank, Dr Judith Simpson, said: "The benefits of mother's own breast milk for all babies has been well documented.

'Invaluable' service

"However for some babies, particularly those who are very premature or who have undergone abdominal surgery, this milk can be invaluable.

"Sometimes these mothers are unable to produce sufficient milk for their own babies and this is where the donor milk bank can help."

Dr Simpson said the new facility would "facilitate Scotland-wide access to donor breast milk".

Funding for the relocation and refurbishment of the milk bank, which is run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, came from Yorkhill Children's Charity.

The charity's chief executive, Shona Cardle, said: "This service has already proven very worthwhile, not only for babies and their families but also for medical staff, and that is why we have invested £192,500 towards it, to allow the expansion of the donor milk bank to meet growing demand."

The charity has also supported the Scottish Emergency Rider Volunteer Service which assists with the collection and delivery of donated milk.

The new facility was formally opened by Public Health Minister Michael Matheson.