Luxembourg implements the EU Directive and bans follow-on milk advertising

Luxembourg has implemented new legislation on infant and follow-on formula which bans the advertising of all formula milk to the public.   They are the first European country to implement a ban on the advertising of follow-on formula to the public.  The new law was published on 3rd April and calls for companies to comply with the new rules by 31st December 2009, as stated in the EU Directive which instigated the new legislation.

Rhodri Morgan AM announces production of child poverty and child wellbeing monitor in Wales

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan has responded to an oral question on the eradication of child poverty in Wales by Christine Chapman. He noted the effect of child poverty on life chances in terms of its impact on the health of children and their educational aspirations. He emphasized the need for good, up-to-date, accurate figures and announced the production of a child poverty and child wellbeing monitor. Publication of the report, which will report on different aspects of child wellbeing including child poverty in Wales, is likely to start in September this year.

Healthcare Commission urges NHS Trusts to learn from patients’ complaints

The Healthcare Commission has published a new report in which it urges NHS Trusts to learn from patients’ complaints and improve complaints handling, with key proposals including apologizing more often when they do make mistakes. The report shows that complaints about a lack of basic nursing care, poor communications, overly brisk GP consultations and a lack of help for mental health service users are among the key issues patients raise.

The report found that whilst the overwhelming majority of patients are happy with the care and treatment they receive, trusts still have some way to go before they are effectively resolving the complaints they do receive, and learning from the issues their patients raise.

Concerns raised regarding maternity services included staff not listening when women expressed their needs, being left alone in labour without pain relief, poor attitudes and midwives being too busy.

Nursing and Midwifery Council launches new code for guidance and advice

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) launched a new Code for the UK’s 674,000 nurses and midwives to mark World Health Day. The updated version of the Code Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives comes into effect on 1 May 2008.

The Code, which was launched with events held in Edinburgh, Belfast, Glamorgan and London, is the foundation of good nursing and midwifery practice and a key tool in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the public.  It has been updated to meet the ever changing requirements of today’s nurses and midwives and aims to clarify expectations; setting out for nurses and midwives what is expected of them as professionals, and showing members of the public what standard of care they can expect to receive. The amendments made were agreed upon after an extensive review process, including consultation with nurses, midwives and members of the public. 

Rather than setting out pages of rules, which would be unsuitable considering the varied roles and individual patient needs, the pocket-sized Code provides a broad set of principles that nurses and midwives can apply to their own area of practise and the diverse environments in which patients receive care

Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland launches breastfeeding educational CD for schools

The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) has announced that it has launched a breastfeeding educational CD resource for schools, to assist teachers in their approach to the sensitive topic of breastfeeding in a way that is both interesting and thought provoking. It said that breastfeeding had been recognised as a major public health issue and that it was vitally important that education about breastfeeding should start in childhood, particularly in Northern Ireland, where it said there was a strong bottle-feeding culture.

The resource aims to provide significant support to those involved in educating school children about the importance of breastfeeding to the health of mum and baby.  It also sensitively tackles the need to change attitudes towards breastfeeding.