"Not enough support at Tameside neonatal"

Thank you for submitting your comments. I am very sorry that you had cause for complaint, and that our services fell below the standards you and the hospital expects. Without knowing your exact details, we cannot respond to all of the issues you raise. However I hope the following will be of value. If the baby required a feed on arrival on the unit and mother was not available then the staff had the following options: • Tube feed the baby • Offer breast milk via a bottle Without being able to review the records, I cannot say whether the staff on the unit were informed that you wanted to breast feed the baby. I am unsure as to why the staff chose the method of asking the father to offer a feed of breast milk by bottle. Current thinking supports the offering of breast milk via a bottle occasionally, as it is not detrimental to breast feeding. The appointment of a breast feeding coordinator in the same year as your experience has enabled us to improve and promote breast feeding on the unit since you attended. Regarding offering formula milk, this would only be used if there was no breast milk available for the baby and she required a feed. The staff on the unit, recognise the benefits of breast milk for the pre term neonate, and promote its use. Regarding the baby lying in vomit, these infants have a tendency to vomit (sometimes in very small amounts) more frequently than full term infants, and the minimal handling policy supports not disturbing babies every time they vomit, unless it is a copious amount, and the bedding is heavily soiled and requires changing. If pre term infants are constantly handled and disturbed the tendency to vomit increases and that uses energy that they need to conserve to thrive and gain weight. If the baby vomits small amounts, dry soft wipes may be placed under the baby’s cheek to protect the skin until the bedding is changed at the next time the cares are carried out i.e. nappy change, observations etc. It is disturbing to hear that a mother was told it was her job to cot tidy. Occasionally, a member of staff may display an attitude that is not appropriate and if the attitude of a member of staff causes concern this is addressed as soon as possible with the individual concerned. I hope this is an acceptable response, and once again I apologise. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, please contact me at philip.dylak@tgh.nhs.uk.