The Department of Health launched a new ‘Breast Feeding Peer Support Programme’ in June 2010 and after extensive training 9 ladies have completed the course. Jane Sloane, Head of Midwifery presented the ladies with their certificates of achievement, today at Keyll Darree, Education and Training Centre, Braddan. The nine ladies who received the certificates were: · Mrs Stephanie Kelsey · Mrs Julie Sansbury · Mrs Beverley Rowlands · Mrs Julie Stoutt · Mrs Claire Wylie · Mrs Lynsey Larkham · Mrs Gillian Churcher · Ms Ruth Quillin The volunteers will be supporting new mums whilst they are establishing breast feeding and this will complement the existing midwifery and health visitor support available. The training included sessions on: · Breast feeding knowledge (anatomy and physiology of breast feeding, practical breast feeding skills and overcoming breast feeding difficulties) · Communication - listening and counselling skills · Confidentiality · Accountability · Setting boundaries In addition, the course also covered health and safety (fire and moving and handling) and safeguarding issues. Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said: “The Department of Health always welcomes support from the local community, and the breast feeding peer support programme is an excellent example of collaborative working at its finest. The health benefits of breastfeeding are well established and so I would like to acknowledge the valuable help that this group of volunteers and others that we will train in the future will provide, to expectant and nursing mothers who wish to breastfeed their baby.” Jane Sloane, Head of Midwifery, added; “I am very excited that the first group of peer support volunteers have completed their training and are ready to support new and expectant mums who are establishing breast feeding. At first about 60% of new mothers breastfeed which we aim to raise to 70% and after 6 weeks, the percentage of mothers who breastfeed drops to about 40%, which we aim to raise to 60%.” The Department of Health will be continuing to recruiting volunteers throughout the rest of this year, for the next training course, which will be held in 2011. If you want to volunteer or find out more about the Breast Feeding Peer Support Programme please contact Barbara Roberts by email at Barbara.Roberts@gov.im or telephone (0)7624 416266. - ENDS -