Plenary Health support innovation at Western Health
The Plenary Health Innovation grant, valued at $10,000 has been awarded to Clinical Nurse Consultant, Jessica Hughes.
The grant will support a project which aims to increase families access to gold standard infant feeding support during their breastfeeding journey. Additionally, it will enable professional development for staff through gaining their International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) qualification.
Staff from various disciplines have expressed interest to pursue the IBCLC qualification. However, the financial barrier means this is out of reach for many staff.
This grant will enable opportunities for staff at Western Health and play a pivotal role in infant feeding education for all hospital staff. This grant will support seven staff to gain their IBCLC qualification.
Plenary Health New Footscray Hospital Project Chair, Kelvyn Lavelle said Plenary Health was thrilled to be able to support innovation for staff and will increase families access to gold standard infant feeding care.
"We’re proud to support this grant and want to congratulate Jessica on her continued work in this space which will provide much needed support for families in the west,"
— Mr Lavelle said.
The award is part of Plenary’s partnership with the Western Health Foundation, worth more than $300,000 over the next five years.
Image caption left to right: Shane Crowe - Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Jessica Hughes - Clinical Nurse Consultant Lactation Services Team Leader, Kelvyn Lavelle - New Footscray Hospital Chair, Plenary Health.