Island Health has reduced the number of discussion groups for new moms hosted by public health nurses in favour of more classes targeted at high-risk mothers.
“It’s not a cutback,” said Connie Haselden, public health manager for child, youth and family service on the south Island. “Public health programming does change from time to time to meet the needs of the community.”
Baby Talk is a popular universal program funded by Island Health and held at public health units for any new mother and baby.
During these discussion groups, mothers hear from public health nurses and health-care professionals on topics such as how to feed their babies, vaccinations and how to do CPR.
In the capital region, two of six Baby Talk classes are no longer facilitated by Island Health. The only Baby Talk class at Esquimalt’s public health unit and one of two at the Saanich Health Unit have been dropped.
Of the six formerly facilitated by Island Health, four remain: one in Saanich, one in Sooke, one in the West Shore and one in Victoria, Haselden said.
The talks are “absolutely invaluable,” said Adriane Gear, spokeswoman for the B.C. Nurses’ Union.
She said the forums provide an excellent chance for public health nurses to informally identify issues in babies and new mothers of all socio-economic backgrounds, including post-partum depression in moms and allergies and weight-loss in newborns.
“That’s the real loss when the whole mandate is geared toward high-risk mothers,” Gear said. “This was the only thing that people who didn’t identify as high risk could access and use to network with other new moms.”
Public health nurses who led the Baby Talk discussions are unhappy with the change over the past year, Gear said.
“Certainly, the nurses who have facilitated these groups see it as a loss,” she said.
However, Island Health said it has simply reorganized its resources, targeting areas of greatest need.
Baby Talk classes are still taking place throughout Greater Victoria but there is a mix, Haselden said.
Some are Island Health-organized, staffed and hosted and facilitated by a public health nurse, held at public health units or elsewhere.
Others are now being facilitated by other organizations, which still get at least one visit from public health nurses and nutritionists.
With the popularity of the help-line phone service 811 and more targeted programs, including a Best Babies program to which high-risk clients are referred, there is less need for more general classes such as Baby Talk, Haselden said.
Island Health knows about every new mom and mothers are made aware of the services available, Haselden said.
“We are always open to new suggestions,” she said. “We have been able to do a lot more outreach in the community.”
Baby Talk in the capital region
Baby Talk sessions provided by Island Health:
• Intercultural Baby Talk, Victoria Intercultural Association, 930 Balmoral Rd.
• Saanich Baby Talk, Saanich Health Unit, 3995 Quadra St.
• West Shore Baby Talk, West Shore Health Unit, 345 Wale Rd.
• Sooke Baby Talk, Sooke Health Unit, 104-6672 Wadams Way
Other organizations that provide sessions:
• Greater Victoria Public Library, downtown branch, 735 Broughton St., and Esquimalt branch, 1231 Esquimalt Rd.
• Saanich Neighbourhood Place, Pearkes Arena and Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.
• Beacon Community Services, Peninsula Health Unit, 2170 Mount Newton Cross Rd.
• Esquimalt Neighborhood House, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser St.
• James Bay Community Services, 140 Oswego St.
