Experiences with Bounty lady at West Mid hospital

[NurtureMyBaby]

Hello,

I strongly feel that Bounty reps have no place in hospital post natal wards. I have written to West Mid NHS trust to express my concerns, but they seem quite keen to keep their contract with Bounty.

They state that they have had no complaints from new parents re the Bounty lady and are using this to justify their continued presence. I have made the point that making a complaint is not often high on the agenda of new parents, but have not received a response.

They do seem willing to carry out some sort of survey before end of the current Bounty contract but this is not until 2015.

In light of this I thought I would ask here about people's experiences with the Bounty lady at West Mid hospital. In the Mumsnet survey 82% of people think the Bounty lady should not be present under any circumstances. So even if like me your experience was fairly neutral but you do not think the Bounty lady should be present it, would be great to hear from you.

At the very least I think new parents should be given the option of opting out of a Bounty lady visit during their ante-natal appt. I think the trust are more likely to be interested in this idea if we can give an indication of wether the results of the Mumsnet survey are reflected locally.

I'd also be interested to hear from others who might like to join forces and campaign on this, I've only seen one bit on it in the local papers.

Here's more on the mumsnet campaign and survey:
[http://www.mumsnet.com/campaigns/bounty-reps-campaign-index]

Thanks

[Phoebe47]

What/who are these Bounty ladies and what is their role?

[bearcubs]

Hi I've just joined mumsnet and wanted to say that I agree I've had both my dcs at west mid. With my first back in 2010 I was really overwhelmed I'd just had a dificlt birth and was not 100%. You have all these different doctors and midwifes coming in to see you then bounty come in and make out they are part of the hospital then you find out their not and start taking photos of your new baby only to sting you to buy them. On my second birth I said I was not interested and the woman was all snooty with me as though it was something I had to have and was not able to refuse. They should not be able to pounce on you the moment you give birth.

[saveoursouls]

Bounty ladies are the devil incarnate.
They have no place whatsoever on any ward, in any hospital.
I would ban them outright - they prey on women at there most vulnerable, when they are stuck in bed feeding a new bay, it's appalling.
FWIW you never have to give in to them and can tell them you are not interested in the least - I did. But then, I call a spade a spade and wasn't in the mood (after a horrific birth) to be screwed around with
I hope your plan to ban them worked OP.