To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has issued any guidance to hospitals, in the last five years, on making private breastfeeding facilities available for outpatients.

No specific guidance has been issued to NI hospitals in relation to the provision of private facilities for breastfeeding outpatients, however, all five Health and Social Care Trusts have breastfeeding promotion and support policies in place that meet Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Standards.

Additionally, the Public Health Agency supports the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme (BWHS), which aims to ensure that mothers are supported and welcomed to breastfeed within public, community and healthcare-associated settings across Northern Ireland. All Health and Social Care Trusts actively support the roll-out of BWHS in their geographical areas and this is further promoted through hospital based, Maternity Infant Feeding Leads in each Trust.

Whilst it is not required, or always possible, for venues registered under the BWHS to provide private spaces to facilitate breastfeeding, registrants pledge to provide supportive, judgement-free environments where mothers feel comfortable feeding their babies