A NEW infant feeding room has been opened at the University Hospital to provide mums with a private space with their child.
The hospital’s chief executive Professor Andy Hardy officially opened the feeding room at the Coventry hospital’s Outpatients Department (OPD) – and was joined by members of the OPD, who suggested having the room.
Healthcare support worker Karen Brown said: “We often have parents and guardians asking if they can go somewhere private to feed their babies and small children and in the past we would try to find them an empty consultation room.
“However, over the years as the clinics have become busier, it’s become more difficult to find a suitable space. So my colleague Veronica Freelove and I thought it would be nice if there was a dedicated room.
“I’m so pleased, it’s been a real team effort with managers and healthcare workers all working together to make it happen for the benefit of our patients.”
Professor Hardy added: “I was delighted when Karen contacted me. We are always looking for ways in which we can make our patients’ time in our hospitals easier and more comfortable.
“Progress doesn’t always have to mean big, expensive changes. Sometimes it can be relatively simple, yet still very important, innovations such as the infant feeding room.
“Karen and Veronica’s idea showed compassion for parents and guardians and helped us to improve their experience at the hospital during their visit.”
The private feeding space has a sofa with cushions and a piece of artwork created by Warwickshire artist Ursula Westwood and patients on UHCW’s children’s ward as part of the Healing Arts initiative.
The children created the artwork by layering Merino wool fibres to make pictures such as butterflies, trees and birds.
Ursula used a needlework technique known as an applique to bring together the individual pieces of felt to create one large artwork – and added details using freehand machine embroidery.
She said: “We wanted to create an artwork that depicted breastfeeding in a blissful scene, evoking a feeling of softness and positivity with fresh, bright colours and references to nature.”
