Best Beginnings makes big impact at Primary Care conference

07 May 2010

Alison Baum, Chief Executive Officer of Best Beginnings, gave an inspiring speech to more than 1000 health care professionals at the Primary Care 2010 conference in Birmingham in May. She talked about the health inequalities that exist between Britain’s babies and shared her vision for a future where all children have the best start in life.

Delegates listened intently as Alison outlined the importance of health trusts signing up to UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative and urged those present to use the resources that Best Beginnings have created. Amongst these is the From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD which is given to expectant mothers in the UK. Evidence shows that it is already proving very effective in encouraging mothers from all backgrounds to breastfeed their baby.

Following the speech, staff on the Best Beginnings stand were inundated with people eager to get their personal copy of the film. Feedback was very positive with many health care workers saying they were aware of the DVD but wanted to find out more about the charity and get involved with fundraising themselves.

The Best Beginnings stand was in operation for the full two-day conference and featured the Get Britain Breastfeeding art exhibition. This has been bought by 21 primary care trusts up and down the country and is used to inspire mothers to consider breastfeeding.

Operations Manager Lee Hall said: “It was great to hear so many positive stories of midwives using our DVD to help their patients. The conference provided unprecedented opportunities to speak directly with professionals on the frontline of care and we hope they will now choose to take a more active role in the future work of the charity.”