I am delighted to share with you the resource: Breastfeeding in the workplace toolkit, which has been developed in partnership with the RCN, RCM and Public Health Wales (PHW) through the NHS Welsh Partnership Forum (WPF).

The toolkit is designed to support employers across Wales in creating inclusive, family-friendly working environments that enable employees to continue breastfeeding when they return to work. Its purpose is to support current guidance and local policy and not replace them.

Collaborative working

It all started earlier this year when the RCM approached me as Chair of the WPF staff side, to ask if we could work together to develop guidance around the best practice in enabling new mums to breastfeed in the workplace.

In April 2026, a workshop was held involving representatives from the RCM, RCN, Public Health Wales (PHW), Healthy Working Wales (HWW), and NHS employers. During the session, we debated whether there was a need for an all-Wales policy or whether a more practical guide would be more suitable for managers and new mums alike. We set ourselves a target of a launch during World Breastfeeding week (1– 7 August).

Much of the work was undertaken out of meetings, before sending to a very wide audience of NHS Employers, trade unions and the Welsh government to gather feedback. This meant an extensive amount of people could contribute, before a final draft was agreed at the WPF in July.

Success!

I am pleased to say that our target was met, and the toolkit was published on 5 August through a true social partnership approach.

Why is this important?

So let me tell you a bit about the background to the work and the toolkit which I hope you will read and use in your daily roles either within our organisation or with members.

Here are the benefits of breastfeeding for the mum, the baby/child and for the wider society.

Unfortunately, though we know that NHS managers are not always supportive of staff who have chosen to breastfeed and actually sometimes peers are not very compassionate either.

This is highlighted in an RCM members survey in 2023 and in the Tribunal outcome of a nurse in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

RCM Survey 2023

63% indicated that rooms often included staff toilets, empty offices and changing rooms amongst others

32%) report facilities being an unreasonable distance. This can inadvertently affect staff members who do not get paid breaks to breastfeed or express milk

A quarter 24% reported not having appropriate storage facilities for storing breast milk which can lead women to breastfeed less or stopping earlier than planned

35% reported lack of support to continue express/breast feeding while at work

Gibbins v Cardiff & Vale University Health Board

• 2024 decision of the Employment Tribunal.
• Breastfeeding employee was not provided with a lockable room for expressing.
• This gave rise to finding of sex related harassment.

About the toolkit

Breastfeeding is a highly effective public health intervention that supports the best possible start in life for children and contributes to improved health outcomes across the life course. Supporting employees to continue breastfeeding when they return to work can help reduce unfair differences in health outcomes and aligns with Welsh Government ambitions to increase breastfeeding rates in Wales. Creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces also promotes equality, diversity and inclusion by ensuring employees feel valued, supported and able to balance work and family responsibilities without disadvantage.

The toolkit provides workplaces with a charter and clear, practical guidance on legal responsibilities, workplace policies and best practice, helping organisations understand the needs of breastfeeding parents. It also provides managers with a toolbox talk to help them have meaningful discussions with their staff. This enables workplaces to implement simple, effective measures such as flexible working, appropriate facilities and supportive management approaches

I really hope that you take some time in your busy schedules to look at the toolkit – feel free to share it widely through your networks.