Sophie Price spent three weeks by her newborn daughter Florence's bedside at Grange University Hospital after the infant developed severe respiratory and blood infections. Although Price was coping with serious postpartum complications including dislocated hips, staff refused her ward meals because she was formula feeding rather than breastfeeding. To remain close to the critically ill infant, Price's family was forced to spend over £1,000 on outside meals and canteen food. In response, the health board expressed regret over the experience while maintaining that formula milk is supplied as needed for patients.
Key points
Postpartum mothers who rely on formula feeding face exclusion from hospital meal provisio…: Postpartum mothers who rely on formula feeding face exclusion from hospital meal provisions under current paediatric ward guidelines.
Families can face steep out-of-pocket expenses to secure food while monitoring critically…: Families can face steep out-of-pocket expenses to secure food while monitoring critically ill children around the clock.
The health board maintains its feeding policy while offering formula supplies and express…: The health board maintains its feeding policy while offering formula supplies and expressing regret over the family's negative experience.
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- Published
A first-time mum was denied hospital meals while her baby was "fighting for her life" because she was not breastfeeding.
Sophie Price, 22, was "shocked" when staff refused to give her a meal while her daughter Florence was being treated on a paediatric ward at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen.
Despite giving birth in the hospital five days earlier, she was told she was no longer classed as a patient as she was not breastfeeding, so she would not be provided with meals.
Aneurin Bevan health board said it was "sorry to hear about Sophie's experience" and was "committed to supporting families throughout their child's stay".
"It was just an awful experience. I just needed a hot meal to keep going for my daughter," said Sophie, from Newport.
Her family said they spent more than £1,000 on food from the canteen and takeaway meals during their three-week stay at the hospital while Florence was treated.
Sophie had only left the hospital - which earlier this week denied online claims it was "dangerous" and "dreadful" - for 24…
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