A young mother was denied food at the Grange University Hospital while her baby was admitted to the hospital’s pediatric ward suffering from breathing issues.
Sophie Price, a 22-year-old mother, was denied food at the hospital because she was not breastfeeding her baby.
Florence was admitted to the pediatric ward because she was receiving treatment for bronchiolitis, blood infection and rhinovirus-related illness.
The incident happened during the family’s three-week hospital stay due to their daughter’s illness.
According to the reports, Sophie was told by the hospital staff that only mothers who were breastfeeding their babies were provided a meal from the hospital; however, since Florence was so ill, she was not taking milk from Sophie and was being formula-fed.
Although she had given birth at the hospital just five days prior, staff refused to provide her with meals, stating that she was no longer considered a patient because she wasn't breastfeeding.
According to a report by the BBC, the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said it was "sorry to hear about Sophie's experience" and was "committed to supporting families throughout their child's stay".
Sophie told the BBC that she just needed a warm meal to keep herself going for her daughter. But since she was denied meals from the hospital, her family spent almost 1000 pounds on food from the hospital canteen and other takeaway meals during their three-week stay.
The health board said that mothers are provided with meals while they are admitted in the maternity ward with their baby, regardless of whether they are breastfeeding or not.
According to the reports, the meal services in the pediatric ward for mothers differ slightly from the maternity services.
If a child is admitted to the pediatric ward, the mother is only provided with meals if she is breastfeeding because the hospital believes that the provided meal will directly support the baby's feeding and nutrition.
The health board said that for formula-fed babies, the formula is provided by the hospital. However, Sophie said that she didn’t receive any formula to feed her baby.
According to the reports, Sophie and her husband Ryli Price had to rush their baby back to the hospital only 24 hours after they left the place.
Sophie said that Florence had difficulty breathing and was losing colour from her face, so they rushed her to the hospital. She also said that the hospital behaved promptly and helped them when they brought the baby to the A&E department.
Diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a blood infection, and the common cold virus (rhinovirus), Florence's lungs could no longer function on their own. She was connected to a respiratory machine that forced air into her lungs via a mask.
According to the BBC report, despite being hungry and tired, Sophie was denied a meal.
Sophie recalled being in pain and bleeding through her clothes as she underwent hip surgery after delivering her baby. She said her feet were so swollen that she couldn't even walk in the hospital hallway.
Sophie and Ryle were told that Florence may need to be put in an induced coma at any point during her treatment.
Sophie was under a lot of stress when she realised that she had not eaten anything in the last 28 hours.
"I remember them saying to me, 'Oh hi mum, hope you're OK, are you hungry?' And me saying, 'Oh yeah, I'm absolutely starving, I haven't eaten in ages. What have you got?'" Sophie said.
Sophie was then informed by the staff that they could not provide Sophie with a meal because she was not breastfeeding. Sophie felt guilty that she couldn’t feed her baby because she was no longer taking to her breast milk.
According to the reports, Sophie’s husband’s paternity leave was ending soon, so she had to rely on her other family members to bring her food while she stayed with the baby at the hospital.
Sophie was also asked to bring her own formula by the hospital; however, Sophie’s mother stepped in and spoke to the hospital to resolve the issue, after which Florence was provided with baby formula from the hospital.
Calling the policy "outdated," Sophie stated that it discriminates against mothers who formula-feed while doing their best in difficult situations.
She also said that hospitals should provide meals for mothers, regardless of the feeding methods that they are using for their babies.
The health board thanked Sophie and acknowledged her feedback.
The board said, "Where parents are unable to access the hospital canteen, have limited support, or are unable to leave their child's bedside, ward teams can provide a selection of basic food items and refreshments to help meet immediate needs.”
The board said that to ensure fair and appropriate support, requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of the family and the needs of the child.
(Rh/ARC)
