Brendan Ryan
Ceist:499. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to adhere to the baby friendly health initiative. [32786/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 11 July 2017
Ceisteanna (499, 500, 504, 505)
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:500. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the body which ensures that the maternity hospitals achieve the baby friendly health initiative. [32787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Ryan
Ceist:504. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the national policy for baby friendly hospitals for all maternity hospitals if the baby friendly hospital initiative is not included in the breastfeeding action plan. [32791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Ryan
Ceist:505. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason fewer hospitals are participating in baby friendly health initiative accreditation. [32792/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 500, 504 and 505 together.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991 and is a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. In Ireland the initiative has been in place for 20 years and there are 19 maternity hospitals countrywide, 9 of which have Baby Friendly designation.
In 2016, the HSE, who fund the initiative, commissioned a research team at TCD to undertake a review of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in 2016. The review highlighted the need for a revised model to be developed in line with the Maternity Strategy and action point 3.2 in the HSE National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2020.
Working with the Health and Wellbeing directorate (health promotion and improvement, public health), the National Women and Infant Health Programme will support the implementation of the WHO/UNICEF 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the basis of the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative, using a revised model suitable for the promotion and support of breastfeeding in Ireland. This approach will also examine the option of an all-island approach.