 Parents could save �500 by switching to cloth nappies |
The NHS is promoting disposable nappies and not giving mothers fair access to re-usable ones, an environmental charity has claimed. The Women's Environment Network (WEN) said the NHS was undermining government aims to convert 155,000 households to re-usable nappies by April 2006.
Disposable nappies make up an estimated 4% of household waste, and cost the NHS around �1.5 million a year.
The charity called on the Department of Health to introduce a nappy policy.
A report by WEN, called 'Nappies and the NHS - waste prevention and a fair choice for parents', claims cloth nappies can save parents �500 on nappy costs.
It said some hospitals do not provide cloth nappies due to contracts with schemes such as Bounty.
Call for cloth
Bounty is an information and support service for mothers, which distributes packs - including disposable nappies - to mothers and maternity wards.
Coordinator of WEN, Anna Link, added: "In the majority of maternity hospitals throughout the UK, disposable nappies are the only nappies demonstrated in ante-natal classes, given out free in Bounty and other freebie packs and in use on maternity wards.
"As the first point of contact for expectant parents, the NHS plays a highly influential role in the choices made by new parents."
However a Bounty spokesperson told BBC News Online they worked with re-usable nappy companies.
"Bounty offers opportunities for both re-usable and disposable nappies, and as such, does not preclude marketing re-usable nappies and would be prepared to promote interested brands in any hospital with which Bounty has an agreement," the spokesperson said.
" We have also always provided unbiased information on re-usable nappies in the Bounty guides."
The WEN report calls for an NHS policy encouraging impartial information on nappies.
It recommends the Department of Health develop a policy to promote cloth nappy education, information and use in the local health service.
A Department of Health spokesperson, said: "All first-time mothers receive free copies of Department of Health publications The Pregnancy Book and Birth to Five, which give detailed information on disposable and reusable nappies, and nappy laundering services.
"The publications suggest that parents can ask the midwife to show them how to fold/pin reusable nappies if they decide to use them.
"It is up to parents or carers to choose which type of nappy to use and for individual units and trusts to decide on the practicality of promoting the use of reusable nappies in their own maternity units, taking into account the views of women and their families."
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