UHP opens dedicated breastfeeding room for their staff
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) has recently opened its first room dedicated to supporting breastfeeding parents when they return to work. Breastfeeding parents will now have the opportunity to express breastmilk in a safe, clean and calm bespoke room used solely for this purpose.
This welcoming, neutral-coloured room is equipped with reclining chairs, a fridge for colleagues to store their expressed milk and a microwave for sterilisation purposes. Surrounded by calming artwork, this room is available 24/7 and is hoped to encourage support for colleagues to be able to continue their breastfeeding journey when they return to work after maternity leave.
Aimee Miller, Infant Feeding Lead explains, “When I started in post in 2019 I was aware that there was a lack of facilities for staff, visitors and patients. 3 years later, with thanks to Cath Roberts and sincere support from Rebecca Tucker and Stuart Windsor, we have been able to open this dedicated space. Returning to work after adding a baby to your family can be a highly emotive and difficult time. I wanted to provide as much support as possible to ensure staff felt able to continue their feeding journey in whichever way suits them best. I hope that this room provides a peaceful environment which can support mothers and parents at work for years to come.”
Stuart Windsor, Future Hospital Director, adds, “I am delighted to have been able to support colleagues with this project to ensure that there is a dedicated and private space to be used." 
This room is on level 5 of the main hospital building and requires swipe card access, which can easily be arranged by asking your line manager to email plh-tr.derrifordidcards@nhs.net.
The next phase of this project is to establish other locations where these important rooms can be rolled out to reach all members of the Trust.
