Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Peer Support Service

Tender description

Gloucestershire County Council Public Health Team is commissioning a breastfeeding peer support service in line with their strategic aim of ensuring the best start in life for the children of Gloucestershire. Breastfeeding is a key influence on a child’s health status and their later life chances and a proven way to reduce health inequalities. The commissioned provider will deliver an evidence based breastfeeding peer support service that encourages and supports pregnant mothers, with a particular focus on supporting Gloucestershire families where breast feeding rates are lowest, to start breastfeeding and continue for at least 6-8 weeks and ideally to 6 months from birth. Provision will be developed according to local need, contributing to reducing health inequalities for all children and families across Gloucestershire and building sustainable community capacity for breastfeeding support. The service will form part of a strengthened multi-agency collaborative network, led by the Public Health Team, focused on improving infant feeding locally. The contract will run from 1st July 2017 to 31 March 2020. Keywords: Breastfeeding, Peer Support, Pregnancy, Postnatal, Infant, Maternity