A hospital is accepting donations of breast milk to help premature babies.
The new scheme, launched at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E), accepts milk donated by new mothers who are back home in the community.
Donated milk will be tested for bacteria, pasteurised, then screened again before being stored in a freezer.
It will then be available for mothers who are unable to breastfeed, providing vital nutrition for sick or premature babies.
Mothers must be non-smoking and drug free and will be given blood tests before being accepted for donation.
It's like gold dust and you don't want to waste it
Jo Simpson, donor mother
Sister Karen Read said the hospital's guidelines were strict and any milk failing the screening process would be discarded.
"Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, so we are encouraging women who produce more milk than their own baby needs to donate it because it is a valuable source of nutrients and protection against infection for babies."
Jo Simpson agreed to sign up to the scheme after breastfeeding her daughter, who was born three months prematurely.
"You spend so much time and energy producing the milk - it's like gold dust and you don't want to waste it," she told BBC News.
"Previously you would have had to throw it away, whereas now you can take it to the hospital and donate it to a good cause."
New mother of triplets Kay Dennis said the RD&E scheme was "fantastic".
Kay Dennis is using donated milk to top up feeds for her triplets
During pregnancy she had planned to breastfeed, but discovered she did not have enough milk to satisfy three hungry mouths.
She has been using the hospital's breast bank to top up the triplets' feeds.
"I consented to it from the day they were born," Ms Dennis said.
"To me it's better than formula milk because there's more in it for the babies."
Nursing mothers who are HIV positive, undergoing chemotherapy or on certain medication are not able to donate milk.
Classed as a satellite milk bank, the unit can also donate milk to the Princess Anne maternity hospital in Southampton.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Daily Mail - Fertility doctor makes staggering £8million in ONE YEAR off couples desperate for a baby
A fertility doctor made £8million in one year, it has emerged.
Mohammed Taranissi's private London-based IVF practice has quadrupled its profits in six years, according to its accounts.
His company made a pre-tax profit of almost £8million - based on charging £2,500 for a basic IVF treatment - and had £ 20million in the bank.
Other clinics making millions include that of Harley Street fertility pioneer Professor Ian Craft, with £5million a year and almost £850,000 in the bank.
The profits, revealed in an investigation by the London Evening Standard, highlight the growth in demand from childless couples.
An estimated one in six couples experiences problems conceiving.
On average, an IVF cycle from a private clinic costs £3,500 with hormone drugs costing an extra £2,000.
But patients typically need two or three attempts to fall pregnant.
Mr Taranissi's profits are based on his work at the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre.
According to accounts for the year to August 2006, he has paid himself £2million in a year as director of the practice.
Treatments on offer include egg freezing for £2,000, donor sperm at £110 a sample and surgical sperm retrieval for £1,250. The initial IVF consultation alone costs £150.
This year the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority warned clinics to outline their rates from the start amid fears patients are unaware of the potential bill.
A spokesman said: "It is like a taxi fare meter. It is rising but you do not know what it will cost at the end of the journey."
Mohammed Taranissi's private London-based IVF practice has quadrupled its profits in six years, according to its accounts.
His company made a pre-tax profit of almost £8million - based on charging £2,500 for a basic IVF treatment - and had £ 20million in the bank.
Other clinics making millions include that of Harley Street fertility pioneer Professor Ian Craft, with £5million a year and almost £850,000 in the bank.
The profits, revealed in an investigation by the London Evening Standard, highlight the growth in demand from childless couples.
An estimated one in six couples experiences problems conceiving.
On average, an IVF cycle from a private clinic costs £3,500 with hormone drugs costing an extra £2,000.
But patients typically need two or three attempts to fall pregnant.
Mr Taranissi's profits are based on his work at the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre.
According to accounts for the year to August 2006, he has paid himself £2million in a year as director of the practice.
Treatments on offer include egg freezing for £2,000, donor sperm at £110 a sample and surgical sperm retrieval for £1,250. The initial IVF consultation alone costs £150.
This year the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority warned clinics to outline their rates from the start amid fears patients are unaware of the potential bill.
A spokesman said: "It is like a taxi fare meter. It is rising but you do not know what it will cost at the end of the journey."
BBC News - Midwives fear service 'collapse'
Midwives claim services provided in the south east Wales area are under-staffed and they are calling for more positions to be filled.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said: "It's only a matter of time before the quality of care plummets and the service collapses".
The Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said more midwives would be employed.
But said it agreed not enough funds were available to solve some staffing issues.
Midwives are exhausted attempting to care for women and their families...
Helen Rogers, RCM
The calls for more staff came in the wake of changes in services in the area.
Helen Rogers, RCM's board secretary for Wales, said: "Whilst we welcome and acknowledge the trust's commitment to employing more midwives, it still falls short of the numbers needed, and this cannot continue.
"Midwives are exhausted attempting to care for women and their families when they know they need many more midwives to run an acceptable standard of service.
"It is only a matter of time before the service collapses and the quality of care plummets."
The Royal Gwent closed its special care baby unit temporarily recently
The community midwives say they originally asked for 31 extra staff and will continue to fight for the posts to be filled.
According to the RCM, a reconfiguration of services has relieved some of the pressure with more midwives working in clinical roles - but they say this has not resulted in more midwives being employed.
Breastfeeding
We are aware of the shortage of midwives in Gwent and are currently looking to find a solution to this problem
Welsh Assembly Government
The RCM say it will raise the issue with assembly members and health minister Edwina Hart.
Health Inspectorate Wales has been contacted and are currently interviewing midwives, managers and medics who work in the maternity services in Gwent.
A spokesman for Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said: "We have had some success in securing funding for the required additional midwives and share the RCM's view that even more are required.
"We are continuing to negotiate with our Local Health Board partners and are hopeful that some additional midwives can be funded.
"In the meantime our midwifery teams across the trust are totally committed to providing a high quality service."
An assembly government statement said: "We are aware of the shortage of midwives in Gwent and are currently looking to find a solution to this problem."
Last Friday, the Royal Gwent Hospital's special care baby unit closed temporarily because a run of multiple births had taken all the cot spaces.
The situation had not affected women with low-risk pregnancies, who were able to have their babies at the Royal Gwent over the weekend.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said: "It's only a matter of time before the quality of care plummets and the service collapses".
The Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said more midwives would be employed.
But said it agreed not enough funds were available to solve some staffing issues.
Midwives are exhausted attempting to care for women and their families...
Helen Rogers, RCM
The calls for more staff came in the wake of changes in services in the area.
Helen Rogers, RCM's board secretary for Wales, said: "Whilst we welcome and acknowledge the trust's commitment to employing more midwives, it still falls short of the numbers needed, and this cannot continue.
"Midwives are exhausted attempting to care for women and their families when they know they need many more midwives to run an acceptable standard of service.
"It is only a matter of time before the service collapses and the quality of care plummets."
The Royal Gwent closed its special care baby unit temporarily recently
The community midwives say they originally asked for 31 extra staff and will continue to fight for the posts to be filled.
According to the RCM, a reconfiguration of services has relieved some of the pressure with more midwives working in clinical roles - but they say this has not resulted in more midwives being employed.
Breastfeeding
We are aware of the shortage of midwives in Gwent and are currently looking to find a solution to this problem
Welsh Assembly Government
The RCM say it will raise the issue with assembly members and health minister Edwina Hart.
Health Inspectorate Wales has been contacted and are currently interviewing midwives, managers and medics who work in the maternity services in Gwent.
A spokesman for Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said: "We have had some success in securing funding for the required additional midwives and share the RCM's view that even more are required.
"We are continuing to negotiate with our Local Health Board partners and are hopeful that some additional midwives can be funded.
"In the meantime our midwifery teams across the trust are totally committed to providing a high quality service."
An assembly government statement said: "We are aware of the shortage of midwives in Gwent and are currently looking to find a solution to this problem."
Last Friday, the Royal Gwent Hospital's special care baby unit closed temporarily because a run of multiple births had taken all the cot spaces.
The situation had not affected women with low-risk pregnancies, who were able to have their babies at the Royal Gwent over the weekend.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
The New EasyWalker Double Buggy
The new EasyWalker DuoWalker Sky due in mid May
The impressive new double buggy will be back in stock within the next few days and we can’t wait, the interest from members has been better than we thought possible.
We have been importing the much loved EasyWalkers direct from the makers in Holland for just over 8 months, and just couldn’t get them quick enough, that will soon change with the new distribution setup. We will be selling them exclusively and from time of order to delivery will be 2-3 days.
Why is the EasyWalker causing so much fuss, well with a similar style to the Mountain Buggy – safe and easy to push, the EasyWalker is just 13 kg and the same width. A classic in the making, having already won major awards.
Take a look inside www.twins-store.co.uk or click the title above to be zinged across to the page.
The impressive new double buggy will be back in stock within the next few days and we can’t wait, the interest from members has been better than we thought possible.
We have been importing the much loved EasyWalkers direct from the makers in Holland for just over 8 months, and just couldn’t get them quick enough, that will soon change with the new distribution setup. We will be selling them exclusively and from time of order to delivery will be 2-3 days.
Why is the EasyWalker causing so much fuss, well with a similar style to the Mountain Buggy – safe and easy to push, the EasyWalker is just 13 kg and the same width. A classic in the making, having already won major awards.
Take a look inside www.twins-store.co.uk or click the title above to be zinged across to the page.
Daily Mail - The Devon school with an amazing 15 sets of twins ... and a set of triplets
It would be fair to say that teachers at that teachers at a Devon college and primary school have seen more than their fair share of sibling rivalry.
With 15 sets of twins and even a set of triplets between them, teachers at Chulmleigh Community College and the nearby primary school certainly have their work cut out for them remembering who is who.
The sibling symmetry has been causing some confusion at the college, because five sets of twins are identical and there is even one set of triplets, while staff at the primary school have been left befuddled over four sets of twins.
The four sets of twins bring the total to 20 sets from just 750 pupils - more than double the national average at nearly six per cent.
Head teacher Michael Johnson said: "It's amazing that we have so many twins here and triplets are even rarer. I've never come across triplets at any of the previous five schools I've worked at.
"It's an astonishing figure that's for sure, I've no idea what if anything has caused it - a bit of a strange phenomenon really."
Tom and Oliver Bradley, 12 from Winkleigh, are identical twins in Year 8 at the college.
Tom said: "People are always getting us confused, teachers especially. We get on really well and very rarely squabble."
Oliver added: "Sometimes, if I haven't done my homework, Tom gets told off about it which is hilarious although I've done a couple of detentions for him, so we're pretty much even."
For identical twins Jennifer and Rachel Manning, 16, from Witheridge, their favourite subject is PE.
Jennifer said: "People who don't really know us tend to think we're the same person but we have different personalities.
"Rachel is known as a bit of a naughty girl whereas I'm just an angel." Rachel said: "We both play rugby for Cullompton under 18s and work well on the field together.
"We get on well at home but sometimes we can spend too much time together, just don't mention boys."
Music appears to be the only similarity for non-identical twins Freddie and Tom Sasse, 14 from Burrington.
Freddie said: "I play the drums and Tom plays bass guitar. We're in a band together and seem to have a good chemistry when playing together on stage.
"Aside from that, we don't look or sound the same or even like the same subjects."
It's a similar story for Year 7 triplets Charlotte, Alex and Georgia Jones, 12, of Eggesfprd.
Charlotte said: "We're not identical and we definitely wouldn't want to be either. Although we're all very active people, we each specialise in different sports."
Georgia said: "I'm more of a girly girl whereas Charlotte could be described as a bit of a tomboy.
"We're in different classes but we all share the same group of friends which is cool. We're very close and are always talking at the same time and thinking alike."
Charlotte added: "We always know what each other is going on about and even what we're thinking sometimes.
"No one ever guesses we're related unless we tell them - strange really."
With 15 sets of twins and even a set of triplets between them, teachers at Chulmleigh Community College and the nearby primary school certainly have their work cut out for them remembering who is who.
The sibling symmetry has been causing some confusion at the college, because five sets of twins are identical and there is even one set of triplets, while staff at the primary school have been left befuddled over four sets of twins.
The four sets of twins bring the total to 20 sets from just 750 pupils - more than double the national average at nearly six per cent.
Head teacher Michael Johnson said: "It's amazing that we have so many twins here and triplets are even rarer. I've never come across triplets at any of the previous five schools I've worked at.
"It's an astonishing figure that's for sure, I've no idea what if anything has caused it - a bit of a strange phenomenon really."
Tom and Oliver Bradley, 12 from Winkleigh, are identical twins in Year 8 at the college.
Tom said: "People are always getting us confused, teachers especially. We get on really well and very rarely squabble."
Oliver added: "Sometimes, if I haven't done my homework, Tom gets told off about it which is hilarious although I've done a couple of detentions for him, so we're pretty much even."
For identical twins Jennifer and Rachel Manning, 16, from Witheridge, their favourite subject is PE.
Jennifer said: "People who don't really know us tend to think we're the same person but we have different personalities.
"Rachel is known as a bit of a naughty girl whereas I'm just an angel." Rachel said: "We both play rugby for Cullompton under 18s and work well on the field together.
"We get on well at home but sometimes we can spend too much time together, just don't mention boys."
Music appears to be the only similarity for non-identical twins Freddie and Tom Sasse, 14 from Burrington.
Freddie said: "I play the drums and Tom plays bass guitar. We're in a band together and seem to have a good chemistry when playing together on stage.
"Aside from that, we don't look or sound the same or even like the same subjects."
It's a similar story for Year 7 triplets Charlotte, Alex and Georgia Jones, 12, of Eggesfprd.
Charlotte said: "We're not identical and we definitely wouldn't want to be either. Although we're all very active people, we each specialise in different sports."
Georgia said: "I'm more of a girly girl whereas Charlotte could be described as a bit of a tomboy.
"We're in different classes but we all share the same group of friends which is cool. We're very close and are always talking at the same time and thinking alike."
Charlotte added: "We always know what each other is going on about and even what we're thinking sometimes.
"No one ever guesses we're related unless we tell them - strange really."
Friday, 2 May 2008
Summer Fun - new goods at twins-store
Well I'm not sure I dare say it....but summer is on the way, walks in the park and days on the beach, fun for all. We www.twins-store.co.uk have always been interest in finding the right products, one's that our members tells us are true essentials, and sun protection for your babies is a must.
We've had great feedback on the Protect-a-bub sun shades we've added to our range, with the Phil & Teds sun shade and the Car seat sun shades
Our stocks of the Mountain Buggy Double UV Sun Shade are selling fast, and we've just added the Mountain Buggy Triple UV Sun Shade
Lots of things for everyone, have a look around.
We've had great feedback on the Protect-a-bub sun shades we've added to our range, with the Phil & Teds sun shade and the Car seat sun shades
Our stocks of the Mountain Buggy Double UV Sun Shade are selling fast, and we've just added the Mountain Buggy Triple UV Sun Shade
Lots of things for everyone, have a look around.
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