Question reference: S6W-04230
- Date lodged: 8 November 2021 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 15 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time for breastfeeding support services was in each month between March 2019 and September 2021.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the positive health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies and expects breastfeeding support to be available to mothers whenever this is required, particularly in the early days and weeks of a baby’s life.
Information on local breastfeeding services is not held centrally. It is for each NHS Board to plan services to meet the needs of its population including how best to utilise funding, facilities and staff to deliver these services.
We provide £2.3m per year to support the 2011 Maternal and Infant Nutrition Framework Action Plan which includes breastfeeding support, and have provided more than £6m over the past four years to NHS Boards and third sector partners to improve the quality of breastfeeding support.