Out of the mouths of babes

Croydon NHS is being forced to take the milk out of babies’ mouths in an attempt to save £30m this financial year.

According to Croydon Council Commission Group it spends ÂŁ395,000 per year on baby milks and specialist infant formula but under the new cuts baby milk will no longer be available.

Parents of babies with milk and soya allergies could have to pay up to ÂŁ112 a week for specialist formula if it is no longer available on prescription.

Rachel Evans has two children with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) and her youngest daughter is still reliant on prescription formula.

“The prescription tins are half the size of a standard tin of formula and cost up to £45 online. They only last about two days so we need two and a half to three tins a week,” she said.

“It’s just not affordable but the only other option is to see your baby in pain. It’s not fair and it’s not right,” said Rachel.
Rachel couldn’t breastfeed either of her daughters. Her first was born very premature and was in neonatal intensive care (NICU).

“Because she was so tiny we were told she would be better off on formula to help her gain weight quickly,” said Rachel.

“By the time we realised there was a problem and that she maybe had an intolerance to regular formula it was too late, my chance of breastfeeding was gone,” she added.

Rachel chose not to breastfeed her second daughter as she was taking antidepressants following her birth.

‘Awful’

“Before we had prescription formula life was awful. She would scream in pain, arching her back and eventually would start to refuse any milk,” said Rachel.

An online petition calling on the CCG to reverse its decision had more than 8,600 signatures following outrage from local families.

Obi Amadi, Unite professional health officer said that the issue is not about the specialist formulas not being of comparable price – but the fact that they are prescribed for medical conditions.

“Are we going to refuse to prescribe everything that can be bought over the counter? Free at the point of service? This is potentially the start of something which does not support families,” she said.

Dr Tony Brzezicki, Clinical Chair of NHS Croydon CCG said they will do what they can to reduce the impact on the most vulnerable in the community.

“It is true that breastfeeding is best and should be encouraged and supported. But it is not right to penalise families with children with medical conditions, especially at a time when there is a strain on family income in the first year of life,” said Obi.

“This doesn’t appear as though we are investing in our infants and children and it sets a worrying precedent. Where will it end?” added Obi.

Mr Brzezicki said the prescriptions would cease in the coming months and families would be given notice of the plans before the change took effect.

• The petition, which was started by Charlotte Elsom, needs just 1,500 more signatures to get a response from government. This issue could affect babies throughout the entire UK if we don’t fight against it. To sign the petition against prescription formula cuts in Croydon please click here.