Page 10 - link magazine

10 The Link Magazine • October 2006 ,e, 9. eds
Cuts cost mums' support Food that comes
A drop-in clinic to help new mum i with breastfeeding problems looks set to close due to cuts at the Great with minimal miles
Western Hospital.
How big is the carbon footprint
Kate Tredgett, a member of nancial sense as there is strong
on your plate?
Breast Mates in Abbey Meads, has evidence that breastfeeding gives
If you eat baby corn from Thai-
learned that the breastfeeding sup- health benefits to mother and baby
land or green beans grown in
port services post is to be axed by which means cost savings overall , . wr
Kenya, it's worth looking at the
the Swindon and Marlborough if women are able to breastfeed
label and considering the amount
NHS Trust. She said that the two successfully.
of energy required to transport it
midwives who run the clinic are to New mum, Liz Austin, said, "I
to the supermarket shelf, the so-
y
be redeployed and will no longer went up to the Frida clinic when
called food miles factor.
be responsible for workshops for my baby was three weeks old be-
An alternative is buying food
pregnant women and training cause I wanted some help with
grown locally and the closest sup-
health professionals as well as the positioning. The midwives were P plier to West and North Swindon
peer mothers at Breast Mates. able to see what was happening
is Purton House Organic Farm, just
Kate has written to trust chief and give me advice. I'm very un-
a mile from Peatmoor.
executive Lynn Hill-Tout pointing happy that the infant feeding co-
The farm runs a successful veg
out that the decision makes no fi- ordinator role is going and that the box scheme and also supplies fruit,
Friday clinic will close because it's Brr ' 1diitr to Liz Austin eggs and meat.
f or very new mums. and /1 en' week old Charlotte
Do you want to make a difference NCT chairwoman Sarah Boxes can be picked up from the
to people's lives? Wilmott believes the move is written to the trust asking them to farm or from drop off points
Do you have an NVQ Level 2 wrong. "A lot of women have said reconsider their decision." around the town. For details see
• Don't burn your bras. bin them - the advert opposite or see:
in Care? that they wouldn't have carried on
see page 32. www.purton-house.co.uk
Do you have your own motor with breastfeeding without help
transport? from the hospital. It's good to go
We are looking for very special people somewhere, with a private room
to join our of and have someone dedicated to Patients have a way to improve
BANK STAFF your needs. You're not worried
to undertake care work in the that you're wasting their time." their health services
community especially evenings. North Swindon MP, Michael Not knowing where to turn for help and advice about health services
and weekends Wills has expressed concern. is now a thing of the past, writes Annie Naji of PALS - the Patient
"There is evidence thatbreastfeed Advice Liaison Service based at Swindon Primary Care Trust.
Swindon 1 Wood Street
Carers ing gives children the healthiest This entirely free and
Centre Swindon
start in life and it is important that confidential service is I
mothers are given all possible sup-
Telephone 01793 542285 available to help patients roil
port and encouragement. I have
for an application pack get the best out of primary
health care. The friendly
PALS team can provide
advice and information on
all aspects of health serv-
ices or can direct to other
services that may be of
help.
The staff also give help
and support to sort out
any difficulties that pa-
tients, carers or families
may be experiencing and
can act on their behalf it
needed. PALS is con-
tacted about a wide range 1'he feels (env, front left, Melisse Ptofrets,
Annie Na/i, Anne Billie Liam
of issues - anything from
finding a GP or problems with ap- dedicated to helping people with
pointment systems, through to mental health issues or who are
concerns about access to services users of mental health services and
or the standard of care provided. can give advice and support. A
As a result, improvements are free booklet' About Mental Health'
made to services which will ben- is available on request.
efit other patients. During the last PALS is staffed from Monday to
year changes have been made to a Friday, 9am to 5pm and can be
number of systems and services as contacted on 708758. Outside these
a direct result of patient feedback. ti mes there is a confidential
Sometimes patients are worried voicemail.
that they are causing problems by Alternatively mail: pals
U
contacting PALS, don't be. If we commentst swindon-pct.nhs.uk or
are not aware that things are not call in or write to: PALS, Swindon
working properly then services PCT, North Swindon District Cen-
cannot improve. Staff are keen to tre, Thamesdown Drive, Swindon,
make sure that patients have as SN25 4AN.
good an experience as possible • Staff are also available at the
whenusing health care services so Millen Advice Point in Manches-
it is i mportant to know what works ter Road on Thursdays 12noon to
well - and also when it goes wrong 2pm and the Swindon Racial
so that things can be put right. Equality Council on Tuesdays
PALS also has a member of staff 10am to midday.