Teamwork that supports best ways of bringing up new baby with Wye Valley NHS Trust (From Hereford Times)

Teamwork that supports best ways of bringing up new baby with Wye Valley NHS Trust

9:00am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Health

LITTLE William Hall had women around him from the moment he was born at Hereford County Hospital on New Year’s Day – and they’ll be around for a while yet.

But as the picture shows, William’s not that fussed at his female admirers – they’re more for mum’s benefit.

And mum Rachel is more than happy to have them.

This week, Rachel spoke about what the Wye Valley Health Trust’s “all in one”

midwifery and health visitor service had meant to her over that vulnerable time since bringing William home.

Most mums, especially first-timers, will sympathise with Rachel saying how close she’s come to giving up on breastfeeding in the first few days alone.

But the help and guidance from midwife Jenny Bishop and health visitor Sarah Wilcox have been “brilliant”

in sealing that particular bond, said Rachel.

Knowing they are there or soon will be has been a huge help as she and partner Andrew Hall embraced parenthood.

It’s been nearly a year now since the county’s midwives, health visitors and community nursery nurses, became one team with the formation of Wye Valley NHS Trust.

Jane Terry, the trust’s clinical service manager for integrated family health services, said: “Working as one team has enabled us to provide a seamless service for women and families to improve their health and well-being, through increased levels of support, earlier involvement from health visitors, and additional support groups.

“This means that mothers have unlimited access to expert support, and advice, and a range of community services and resources, until their child is of school age.”

Breastfeeding is one of those key issues that Rachel’s case highlights.

Jenny, as Rachel’s midwife, said the trust had introduced additional breastfeeding support, with midwives now making early referrals to community nursery nurses who provide specialist breast feeding support to mothers in their own homes.

Experienced trained mothers provide breastfeeding support at children’s centres across the county, and Hereford has its own breast feeding support group.

à For more about the support, advice and range of community services available, contact your midwife or health visitor.