I slide into bed beside you.
Sleeping, you start to search
with that eager little mouth -
your hand unconsciously stroking my arm
so lovingly.
Then, fill had, you pull away.
Breathing deepens,
safe and sound.
Taken for granted,I am rewarded.
'Complainant's name
Complainant's address + telephone number/email
Date
Dear Sir or Madam [or insert name],
I, [name], am writing to express my concern regarding an employee of the HSE/NHS (name if known), who is a [title] at [name of health premises] and has given me inaccurate, unhelpful, and potentially damaging information regarding breastfeeding my child [name and age of child].
I found [offender's name] conduct and information to be unprofessional, and am deeply concerned at the impact that such misinformation could have on someone who is not well-informed on the subject. [Here, if you have time and desire to do so, you should detail what misinformation the offender badgered you with]
For the record, the World Health Organization guidelines on breastfeeding state that:"Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is the recommended way of feeding infants, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond."
To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for six months, WHO and UNICEF recommend:[add whichever factors you feel to be most important from this link -http://www.who.int/child_adolescent_health/topics/prevention_care/child/nutrition/breastfeeding/en/index.html]
ROI only [The HSE not only concurs with the WHO, but even provides a useful set of resources for health care professionals, to make sure that they have up-to-date information about breastfeeding and infant nutrition. These resources can be accessed at www.breastfeeding.ie]
UK only [The NHS National Institute for Clinical Excellence also support the WHO recommendations: http://www.nice.org.uk/niceMedia/pdf/EAB_Breastfeeding_final_version.pdf The NICE Guidance (2008) on Maternal and Child Nutrition is summarised here: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/NICE_Maternal_and_Child_Nutrition_Recommendations.PDF The NHS also provides an on-line resource to support parents with breastfeeding. This can be accessed here: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/why-breastfeed.aspx]
I am concerned that [offender'a name] does not have up-to-date information, and is giving mothers misinformation. This seems to suggest that [she/he] has not received proper training in current best practice*, and is therefore not currently qualified for [her/his] role in health care.
I look forward to hearing from you about how you are going to address this problem. ( if you wish to provide further details add " and I would be happy to share more details of my interaction with [offender's name], should you require such information for your review".)
Yours sincerely,
[complainant's name and signature]'
'Address
Other contact details, eg phone, e-mail
Date
Name of contact person, if available
Address of Health Care Facility/Hospital
Re: Inaccurate Advice re Medication
Dear [Patient Services Manager],
On [date], I was admitted to [name of hospital/location) for the procedure of. [name service]
I am concerned that I was given the wrong information in relation to sedation to be taken before the procedure. At that time I was breastfeeding my child and, on informing the medical staff of this, I was first advised that it would be necessary to discontinue feeding. However, on questioning this further, I found this recommendation to be inaccurate since the drugs were compatible with breastfeeding. This is disappointing as it demonstrates a lack of knowledge in the medical team and a lack of understanding of to the importance of breastmilk to my child. The situation caused me unnecessary stress at what was already a difficult time.
To resolve the problem I would like you to [state the action you require e.g. a review of staff training in relation to the medications during lactation]. Further, I feel it would be helpful for the hospital to have a policy on care of patients who are breastfeeding.
Enclosed is a copy of [any relevant documents].
I look forward to hearing from you and to a resolution of this problem. Please contact me at the above address or by telephone on *********
Yours sincerely
[Sign]
[Print Your Name]
Cc: [Include Name of person or agency you want to send a copy of this letter to]'