Radio Royal

NHS Forth Valley’s Health Visiting Services have successfully maintained their UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Award Recognition. The Team offers practical and emotional support to women to feel more comfortable and confident to breastfeed. Breastfeeding protects babies against a range of serious illnesses and may reduce the mothers risk of developing some forms of cancer.

Families who suffer the tragic loss of a baby now have access to additional counselling and support at home thanks to a new partnership between NHS FV and the charity Held In Our Hearts. Support includes planning a funeral or memorial, advice on talking to siblings and getting ready to return to work. This service is available to any family who has experienced a loss after 12 weeks and provides 6-8 sessions in their home.

With Scotland’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV vaccination program set to begin this Summer, NHS Forth Valley and Public Health Scotland are encouraging older adults to look out for their invitation letters arriving. Appointments will start in August 2024.
RSV is a highly infectious virus that affects the breathing system. There are more than 1,000 cases in Scotland recorded for adults over 75 with more than half spending time in hospital.
Also starting in August, the vaccine will be offered to pregnant women during conversations with their Midwife after 28 weeks. This will help protect their newborn babies from illnesses caused from an RSV infection.