“In 2023 we were awarded our ninth Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) accreditation. The Women’s was first accredited in 1995, the first public hospital in Australia to be so, and we have now achieved 28 years of continuous accreditation. We were also a pilot site for the introduction of BFHI in Australia, so we celebrate a long and proud history of BFHI.

This was the most challenging BFHI assessment ever.  The long reaching effects of the COVID pandemic were evident.  Melbourne had endured some of the strictest and longest lockdowns, and the way we provided maternity and neonatal care had to change. We know it is achievable, when we work with our colleagues, get the basic data and then just chip away at improvements.

As the 2023 BFHI coordinators at the Women’s, we acknowledge the hard work and commitment of those before us who have guided and assessed many organizations including the Women’s in being Baby Friendly.”

 

Anita Moorhead and Tanya Longmore

BFHI Coordinators

Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne.