We have achieved the prestigious gold standard from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF’s) Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI).
This recognition underscores the unwavering commitment of our services to delivering high-quality, sustainable care for babies and their families. The gold standard is rooted in four key themes: leadership, culture, monitoring, and progression. These themes form the foundation of the Baby Friendly Initiative standards, providing a clear roadmap for embedding improvements that will endure long term.
We will work with partner agencies to develop a North Lincolnshire action plan, further enhancing care once the official certificate of success is received from UNICEF.
The Baby Friendly Initiative assessment team highlighted several strengths in their glowing feedback. They praised the quality of evidence submitted and the meticulous planning that ensures baby friendly standards are firmly embedded across services. They commended the unique collaboration between NHS and local authority public health teams, which has driven the initiative forward with remarkable success. Assessors noted the pride, enthusiasm, and commitment of staff at all levels. They emphasised the culture of kindness and compassion where trust colleagues feel valued and supported, and their achievements are recognised through excellence awards.
Dr Judith Graham, Director of Psychological Professionals and Therapies and the service’s guardian, is an advocate for placing families and babies at the heart of service evaluation and project planning. Collaborative efforts between health visiting teams and maternity sites were also praised, showcasing a united front from the programme’s inception to achieving the gold standard.
Parents have shared their satisfaction with the service, with comments such as, “100% happy with my health visitor,” and “I’ve had so much support since leaving the hospital.”
The North Lincolnshire hub groups also received positive feedback, further reflecting the dedication to supporting families. This achievement is a testament to our trust’s dedication to excellence and commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Published: March 05, 2025
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