Newport mum of critically ill baby denied food at Grange Hospital

Key Points:

• Sophie Price, a 22-year-old first-time mother, was denied hospital meals while her critically ill baby was being treated because she was not breastfeeding, as per Grange University Hospital's policy on paediatric wards.
• The hospital provides meals to breastfeeding mothers to support the baby's nutrition, but formula-feeding mothers are not offered meals and are expected to bring formula themselves, which Sophie disputed.
• Sophie faced significant physical pain and exhaustion during her three-week stay, spending over £1,000 on food while caring for her daughter Florence, who was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, rhinoviruses, and a blood infection requiring intensive care.
• The health board expressed regret over Sophie's experience and emphasized their commitment to supporting families but maintained their policy distinguishing patient status between mothers and children on paediatric wards.
• Sophie criticized the policy as outdated and discriminatory against formula-feeding mothers, advocating for all hospitals to provide meals to mothers regardless of feeding method during their child's hospital stay.