Penticton Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Committee

Penticton was recently one of a limited number of communities nationwide to achieve Baby Friendly Status at both the Penticton Regional Hospital and the Penticton Health Centre through an accreditation process led by the Breastfeeding Committee of Canada. Launched by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in 1989, facilities that document their full adherence to the program and policies, can be designated as “Baby-Friendly”.

The committee will focus on key areas of support offered to birthing families, and are hoping for patient engagement from birthing families with recent (within the last 3 years) birthing experience at Penticton Regional Hospital, and/or follow up care for their infant at the Penticton Health Centre. The public partners would provided feedback based on their lived experiences and help guide improvement work, resource development, and ultimately support and sustain our Baby Friendly status.

Penticton’s BFI Committee is led by the local BFI Lead, a Public Health nursing leadership role. The committee is comprised of:
Manager of Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) Women’s and Children’s Health Services
Manager of Penticton Public Health (including Maternity Care)
Staff and leadership from PRH and the Penticton Health Centre (PHC)
Community Lactation Consultant
Quality Improvement Consultant

For more information on the Baby Friendly Initiative please visit: https://breastfeedingcanada.ca/en/baby-friendly-initiative/

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of Collaborate on the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.

Eligibility

• Willing & comfortable to share health care experiences in a group setting
• Specific health care experiences [details below]
• Patients and support persons with recent (within the last 3 years) experience with any of the following 3 areas: - Birthing experience at Penticton Regional Hospital - Follow up care by Public Health for their infant at the Penticton Health Centre - Feeding their infant by breast or bottle at either the Penticton Regional Hospital or Penticton Health Centre

Patient Partners ARE NOT required to be PVN members to participate in this engagement opportunity.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Haley Olsthoorn
BFI Lead, Public Health | Interior Health
(250) 770-3434
Haley.Olsthoorn@interiorhealth.ca