Hello Georgina

I am glad to read that it was a positive experience for you and a day well spent. I am sure many OH students are reading they may be interested in knowing what new knowledge you gained and how  it influenced or changed your practice. There is one definite benefit – but I see the benefit  more to the breast feeding nurse rather than to the OHN. The breast feeding support nurse gets the opportunity to learn about OH.

I know how difficult it is to get time out of work for visits. For example I regularly organise field trips (eg a practical risk assessment in the Palm House at Kew Gardens) and visits to employment tribunals  (ET) and many of our students say that their employer will not allow them the time from work unless they take A/L.  An ET has definite relevance to our practice and if they can’t get time to attend an ET then I very much doubt they would be able to negotiate time with a breast feeding adviser.

Anne

On 26/11/2010 12:49, "Georgina Mills" <[log in to unmask]" target=_blank>[log in to unmask]> wrote:

The breast feeding suppport nurse was suggested by the Uni, like you I was confused as to what I could learn from the experience.
 
When I attended I explained why I was there (or why I though I was there at the time!!!) and the mothers were all very happy to discuss their experiences. I was really surprised at the amount of mothers who were ready to give up breast feeding on return to work - many of them knew about their employers policy on supporting breast feeding at work (ie time away to use a breast pump etc) but just felt too stressed at the thought of asking/arranging the time along with their normal duties. The breast feeding nurse gave a wealth of information to the mothers that day about the possibilites of continuing breast feeding at work. You are right - they were well established breast feeders during maternity leave, but none of them were ready for the implications of carrying on with breast feeding whilst working - I was a breast feeding mother and gave up on return to work - if I had extra support I dare say I would have continued.
 
The experience has assisted me on two occasions since and although I totally understand your point - I felt it was a really valid placement for OH -
 
I used my holiday entitlement and weekends to arrange my practice placement so I fully understand the importance of justifying placements - but I must say that this was a day's holiday well spent!
 
Georgina

On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 9:38 PM, [log in to unmask]" target=_blank>[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]" target=_blank>[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hello Georgina

I would totally support students spending time with Travel clinics, family planning (support of young workers), audiology (excellent idea) etc. However, out of interest what did you gain from the breast feeding support nurse? My experience of women returning to work after mat leave is that either breast feeding is well established so they have no need of breast feeding support – OR they have stopped breast feeding. Unfortunately, time is money - in my days as the manager of an OHS you would have had to justify to me a visit to a breast feeding adviser – if you couldn’t I would not have supported such a visit in work time.

Anne

Anne Harriss
Course Director
London South Bank University



On 25/11/10 19:30, "Georgina Mills" <[log in to unmask]" target=_blank>[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I'm based in Scotland, but a few of the places I attended for my placements were;
Travel Vaccination Clinic, Family Planning, Audiology Department NHS, Occupational Hygiene, Occupational Physio, Local Breast Feeding support nurse - I called round and they were all very accommodating. 
 
I hope that helps!
 
G

On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 9:57 AM, Chris Allan <[log in to unmask]" target=_blank>[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear List,

I'm looking for some alternate practice experiences for an OH student I'm mentoring, she is based in London getting her practice experience in a West London University.

Any offers, advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

With best wishes to you all,

Chris Allan

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