Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) has been reaccredited with UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Gold Award for both its maternity and neonatal units.
This reaccreditation reaffirms HDFT’s position as the only NHS Trust in England to hold Gold status - the highest level of accreditation - across both services.
HDFT is also the leading NHS Trust nationally, with a total of four accredited Gold services and eight Stage 3 accredited services across its 11 Local Authority 0-19 (children and young people’s public health services) contracts.
The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for mothers and babies.
It is based on a comprehensive set of standards designed to provide parents with the best possible care to build close and loving relationships with their baby, and to feed their baby in ways which will support optimum health and development.
When adopted, these standards lead to healthier families and stronger communities.
Breeda Columb, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals at HDFT said:
“I am delighted that we have retained our Gold accreditation. This award reflects years of dedication from staff, strong leadership, and a culture that places babies and families at the heart of care.
"Harrogate’s services have now been recognised as an exemplar of best practice for supporting infant feeding, strengthening parent–infant relationships, and improving outcomes for the community.
“By ensuring every parent receives trusted, evidence-based support, we help empower families to make confident choices about caring for their newborns. This approach not only reduces health inequalities, but also brings long-term benefits for society and the environment.”
Introduced to the UK in 1994, the Baby Friendly Initiative has worked with UK public services for over 30 years supporting maternity, neonatal, community and hospital-based children’s services to transform their care, ensuring every parent receives trusted support to make confident choices about feeding and caring for their newborn.
The initiative also works with universities to ensure that newly qualified midwives and health visitors have the essential knowledge needed to support families.
Leanne Likaj, Associate Director of Midwifery and Paediatrics at HDFT said:
“I am immensely proud to be working with a service that has sustained UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Gold accreditation for both maternity and neonatal services.
“This accreditation recognises the commitment of our staff to provide families with compassionate, evidence-based support for infant feeding, helping babies get the best possible start in life and fostering close, loving relationships.”
The Gold Award recognises healthcare providers that meet UNICEF’s rigorous standards for infant feeding and early parent–infant relationships.
Achieving and sustaining this level demonstrates that HDFT’s maternity and neonatal teams not only meet these standards, but have embedded them into everyday practice, ensuring families consistently receive compassionate support.
Find out more about the accreditation on UNICEF's website.
Harrogate-based Sporting Influence Foundation to tackle 24 climbs in 24 hours
Giant vegetables take centre stage at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Alpamare waterpark to be sold to 'protect its future' with private investment
Roadworks causing growing disruption in Harrogate and Knaresborough, officials admit
Yorkshire artist brings Harrogate's Old Market Hall back to life
Martin House hosts first children's palliative care conference
Judge appointed to lead inquiry into North Yorkshire mental health trust
Harrogate group raise more than £40,000 with cycle to Bordeaux
Scotton pub wins Tripadvisor award for seventh year running
Almost 2,000 people sign Knaresborough landslip petition
Police appeal after Range Rover damaged in Knaresborough
St Aidan's teacher recognised at national Teacher of the Year Awards
Bramham Park to host its first Christmas market
Harvest gown unveiled for flower show's 50th anniversary
Ripon's Mario's Restaurant named among Tripadvisor's top 10%
Harrogate Rugby Club reveals plans for clubhouse expansion and padel courts
Police appeal after Lister House minibus vandalised in Ripon
Council urged to "show me the money" and provide evidence of home-to-school policy change savings
Kate Mosse and Prue Leith among stars of Harrogate Literature Festival
Ripon among UK's top cities for missing parcels
