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Pregnancy

12th May 2021

Stephen Donnelly announces €1.58 million funding for HSE lactation consultants

Laura Cunningham

Ireland has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has announced today that €1.58 million has been allocated for additional HSE lactation consultants.

The news is welcomed, as Ireland has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world and it’s hoped that the additional funding will help give women the support needed to increase these figures.

In a statement, the minister explained: “This funding will provide for lactation consultants across hospital and community settings to ensure timely skilled assistance for mothers who wish to breastfeed.”

The additional funding will also pay for training in lactation services for existing frontline staff.

This commitment means the whole country will be covered in accordance with the National Breastfeeding Action Plan targets, with an additional 24 consultants in place across Ireland.

Minister Donnelly added: “Today’s announcement also supports the delivery of the National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together, which represents a significant development in the delivery maternity care, setting out high quality, integrated, team-based services that are safe, woman centred and that increase the choice of experiences to women across the country.”

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Topics:

breastfeeding,HSE,lactation consultant,stephen donnolly

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