HEALTH visitors in East Lancashire have been praised for their work to promote breastfeeding.

The staff, who work for the CommuniCare NHS Trust, have been awarded the UNICEF Certificate of Commitment: UK Baby Friendly Initiative.

The accolade pays tribute to the way health visitors have improved breast feeding facilities at health centres where mums have open access and good quality amenities.

They have also worked with the commercial and retail sectors to improve facilities in shops, stores and in the workplace and have linked up with breastfeeding pressure group the La Leche League and the National Childbirth Trust to set up more support groups.

Nurse manager Kath Jackson said: "We are well on the way towards implementing a seven-point plan which includes training for health visitors to improve the information given to mothers to help them make an informed decision about breastfeeding. We are aiming to achieve full UNICEF accreditation in the spring."

Blackburn-based health visitor Eileen Brindle said she and her colleagues were hoping to publish a guide to local breastfeeding facilities for mums, which will award ratings like the guides to good food do now."

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