The HSE has explored the feasibility of establishing a donor expressed breast milk (DEBM) bank. However, it has no current plans to set up such a facility.
A DEBM bank is a service which collects, screens, pasteurises, and dispenses breast milk donated by mothers who have excess milk they wish to donate. The donor milk is provided to babies who are ill or born prematurely, which bridges a gap when their mothers’ milk is not available. Breast milk boosts babies’ immune system; reduces the risk of necrotising enterocolitis; provides essential nutrients, growth factors, and hormones; and supports brain development.
According to the HSE, guidelines are in place in maternity and children’s hospitals on the availability of DEBM to preterm and sick babies. Currently, the HSE purchases donor breast milk from the milk bank at Western Health and Social Care Trust, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. This facility, which opened in 2000, receives donations from across the island of Ireland.
In 2023, a summary report of a health needs assessment for the establishment of a DEBM bank was presented to the HSE breastfeeding implementation group.
Following the presentation, concerns were raised around the lack of a national database and registry, according to minutes obtained under Freedom of Information law.
Hospitals in the Republic record the number of litres ordered, but not the number of units provided to each baby, the meeting heard.
A HSE progress report on the breastfeeding action plan, published in September 2024, stated that DEBM was available in all hospitals providing care to sick and preterm babies.
According to the report, work was being undertaken on progressing recommendations from a health needs assessment for donor milk bank services in the Republic. This included the matter of a registry and updated clinical guidelines.
The HSE has a purchasing contract in place with the Western Health and Social Care Trust. Between 2019 and September 2024, 4,160 litres of DEBM were delivered to hospitals in the Republic. There is no database capturing the number of babies receiving DEBM.
A HSE spokesperson commented: “The HSE is monitoring the provision of DEBM to hospitals to ensure a continuous supply is available to sick and preterm babies. The HSE does not currently have plans to establish and operate a human milk bank in the Republic of Ireland.”
The spokesperson said the HSE has dedicated lactation supports in neonatal intensive care units and paediatric services to enhance the availability of mothers’ own breast milk for preterm and sick babies.
In December 2024, there were a total of 59.1 infant feeding/lactation whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts in the HSE, up from 15.42 in 2017.
Separately, the Department of Health is setting up a breastfeeding steering group to develop a whole-of-Government breastfeeding policy. The new Programme for Government committed to enhancing support for breastfeeding with a Government-wide strategy, funding for community initiatives, more lactation consultants in hospitals and communities, and increased support for voluntary breastfeeding groups.
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