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Date: | Sat, 2 Jun 2001 17:51:41 +0100 |
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>In a message dated 6/2/1 8:45:34 AM, Magda writes:
<< .......cot cards from a manufacturer of formula milk. These companies
have a direct interest in the choices women make about feeding their babies.
>>
good point.......what are the ethical issues related to the idea of the
hospital printing their own crib/cot cards, with ads for hospital based
services as an effort to retain customers within the hospital system?
would it be promoting a conflict of interest in supporting this?<
I look forward to a debate on this issue. Since I left the US at the age of
20 and have not really had to get to grips with how the health system works
there I would not like to comment. In the UK most women have their babies
attended by NHS employed midwives or doctors. Those who pay might go
independent and pay themselves for the services of an independent midwife
who attends a home birth. There might be some other options that .01% of
women exercise. Cot cards in an NHS hospital should not advertise and
commercial product, imo. And since you go to them unless you opt to pay, so
far they don't advertise themselves.
For me, this is one of the major reasons I remain polite about living in
this country. The structure and the inflexibility of the NHS might drive
you up the wall, but there is something about knowing that when your husband
has an angina attack or your toddler has a mysterious virus NO ONE is going
to ask you how you are going to pay for the ambulance, the treatment or
anything. And you can go into hospital (should you wish to have a baby
there) and stay for free. Or require the local midwifery service to provide
you with a midwife to attend the birth of your baby at home. (A legal
requirement, just about still in the UK.) This is what I tell taxi drivers
who ask me why I left California for Oldham.
Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK
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