Campaign to end Bounty sales reps' access to maternity wards - please read and share

[JustineMumsnet]

Evening all,

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to fill in our survey on Bounty and share your stories - from the initial idea onwards, this really is a campaign that has been prompted by your concerns, as posted on Mumsnet.

The survey showed that a very large majority (82%) felt it was unacceptable for Bounty sales reps to be on hospital wards, as well as highlighting a number of other concerns about Bounty reps' selling practices, so we're calling on government to end this kind of direct selling/data collecting on NHS wards. See more here.

It's clear, from the survey results, that, even after Bounty updated its code of conduct (these results only include users who gave birth from May 2012 - the full results containing prior data are here) its practices leave a lot to be desired, and that Mumsnet users feel very strongly that the maternity ward is no place for a hard sell, so we're really hoping that government will listen to us.

Here's how you can help...

Please sign the petition

If you're on Twitter please tweet your support for the campaign with the hashtag #bountymutiny and the following link:

tiny.mn/1bsnpNw

If you're on Facebook then please like campaign page our campaign page (there's a FB link to click at the top on the left).

If you're on Google+, well, you'll know what to do.

We'll, of course, keep you posted here about the campaign and any developments. Thanks to everyone for their stories, honesty and input. Here's hoping we can make a difference!

I wouldn't want "goodies" either. It would most likely be stuff I didn't want, like scented baby wipes or perfumed bubble bath.

I'm staggered that this is still going on. When I had my first almost 20 years ago the bag was simply left by our beds.

When I had my second a year later the Bounty rep asked for me details and after a couple of minutes of my saying a firm no thank you, I was 'rescued' by my consultant and I went home a couple of hours later.

Number three was an emergency section at 28 weeks, my life was very much in the balance for a week, along with my tiny baby. When I was out of ICU, along she came bossy and rude for over half an hour. I think she finally got the message when I yelled 'will you just fuck off and leave me alone'. I've never heard such silence on a maternity ward. It was awesome, and the added bonus was that she didn't come back for the next few days.

None of that grief for me when I had number four, as that was abroad, where they automatically take newborn pics and give you a huge bag of thoroughly handy stuff including pamper stuff for post section delicate old me. For free.

I'm also amazed it's still going on. Seven years ago my baby was also in SCBU - I couldn't move after an emergency c-section and the lady burst in and was so incredibly rude. Also told me that I 'wouldn't be needing a picture' and then (while I was still high as a kite on morphine) told me I HAD to give her my details - phone & address - as it was a government requirement I didn't know any better and signed. For the next six months we were bombarded with calls from baby-goods-related people and the crap that came through the door was ridiculous.

I told her where to get off 18 months later when baby #2 arrived. I'm disgusted that they get this type of unfettered access in a hospital just so they can basically flog you stuff and create a mailing list

There are no Bounty reps in hospital where I live, the packs are given to you by the midwives. I am still not happy with my experience of Bounty though, as I made sure that I said no to passing my details on and yet they completely ignored that and did it anyway. I contacted the various companies that have sent me junk mail and they all confirmed that they got my details from Bounty.

If I go on to have DC2 then there is no way that Bounty are going to find out I'm pregnant

Totally agree that they shouldn't be on the wards but... They're not all completely evil! I had DS2 3 days ago he's so cute! & when the Bounty lady came round I reluctantly agreed because I was a bit distracted with getting ready to go home & couldn't be bothered to argue. She immediately reassured me that I didn't have to have it, I said I'd rather not & she happily toddled off to the next bed - I was stunned by how painless the whole thing was!

But no, she shouldn't have been there, even if she was really nice!

I agree with Lovebeingupat4inthemorning. It could be better managed and the option to visit the Bounty people in the hospital.
Personally, I have the most stunning picture of my youngest child at less than 24 hours old and it reminds me of how simply beautiful she was when she was born. I wouldn't have had the energy, time or skill to take the photo myself.
I do agree that the Bounty people visiting you were very 'nonchalant' about the fact I had just given birth and I did feel like any old Tom-Dick or Harry but then they aren't the only people on a maternity ward who are like that towards you............

I think the campaign is good, although I don't feel passionately about it, but... pedantically, on the letter to David Cameron, couldn't we have addressed him as Dear Mr Cameron or even Dear Prime Minister?

I am terribly old fashioned, I know, but I think a more formal approach to the man elected (sort of) to lead our country is perfectly appropriate.

Shared.

Even if every rep followed best practice and didn't hassle patients, they still shouldn't be given the access they have. It happens on no other ward, and for good reason.

I have to disagree at all of the experiences above I am the mother of 4 and always found on each of the 4 occasions after giving birth the Bounty Reps to be polite, and if you say no, they withdraw politely with a smile and do not give you the hard sell. The Emma's Diary to first time mums on the ward was invaluable and for some mother's who are on a very low income, the samples were a godsend to them.

I actually found the absolute bullying by the midwives in the hospital on each occasion to breastfeed my babies on each occasion much more stressful than a rep coming around to ask to take a photo and ask if you wanted samples.

ooh just seen justine on th news

Read the article on BBC News and have joined Mumsnet to support this. I'm still expecting this so have never been on a maternity ward but couldn't quite believe what I was reading - does this actually happen???

I tell you what, ANY sales rep who approaches me straight after giving birth is likely to get a smack in the nose. Honestly, can you imagine this being accepted by men if they were in a similar situation, and with such aggression by the sounds of it? Testicular cancer ward anyone? I think I have a good idea what sort of response they would get. Women, don't stand for such crap!

Can we get it put it on the birth plan page.

You know 'Who will cut the cord?', Physiological 3rd stage or managed? Allow visit by Bounty rep?

Because when I gave birth the first time I was totally unprepared for the Bounty rep. No literature had been given regarding it and I was totally exploited and felt violated. Far worse than a vaginal examination which you have to give consent to.

@rhythmdivine100

Read the article on BBC News and have joined Mumsnet to support this. I'm still expecting this so have never been on a maternity ward but couldn't quite believe what I was reading - does this actually happen???

I tell you what, ANY sales rep who approaches me straight after giving birth is likely to get a smack in the nose. Honestly, can you imagine this being accepted by men if they were in a similar situation, and with such aggression by the sounds of it? Testicular cancer ward anyone? I think I have a good idea what sort of response they would get. Women, don't stand for such crap!

Welcome to Mumsnet, rhythmdivine100!

I have joined mumsnet specifically to add my comments on this topic. Really grow up and start campaigning about something really important and not this preposterous hot air about nothing. I am a professional woman in my fifties with 4 children in their 20s. I was thrilled with my bounty bags. I became a bounty lady after my third child and spent a very happy year meeting lovely mums and babies and having a chat on my rounds. I was not on any commission. Mums with problems were off limits and the nurses always told me which ladies I could not visit.
In the face of so many genuine problems faced by young families today you should be ashamed of yourselves for creating a fuss about nothing and risking mumsnet's credibility in the national media. Bounty bags are not a worthy campaign.

I would love to be a bounty lady and get to visit loads of brand new babies, but I would always feel like an unethical and immoral intruder.......

Nothings changed then in 14 years!

The day after having my daughter we were (incorrectly, but thats another story!)told she had a congenital heart defect the same as me.
Obviously being told your perfect baby has something wrong is scary and upsetting.
Later that morning we had a visit from a rep who insisted that we need to have our daughters photograph taken for security (I don't know anyone who would refuse this request) and then proceeded to explain the costs for framed picture sets, keyrings etc!

What we weren't prepared for was the closing line of 'these will be treasured memories God forbid anything should happen to her'

I just burst into tears and my husband literally frog marched her out of the door.
We complained to a midwife, who forwarded the complaint to the Head of Midwifery at Liverpool Womens, we never heard a thing! Had I had more time after that I would have taken it further but new baby......you know how it is

Mumof4granof1, that's your experience. You only have to look at the negative experiences that are pouring in to see that you are in the minority.

I personally didn't have a problem with the bounty rep after either of my DCs were born but I can see why people might have. You're in hospital following one of the most exhausting experiences you'll ever go thru, you're feeling tired, emotional, vulnerable and overwhelmed and some stranger comes round and starts bombarding you with personal questions. I can see how people might have a problem with this.

Thanks for you're opinion but I wouldn't waste your time on MN any more if I were you

runkydunky Yes I was told a photo was needed for security too. Ridiculous now I think about it.

Mumof4 How lovely. Now perhaps read what people are saying about the reps they've had and next time don't belittle people's feelings on this issue. Congratulations on such a sensitive first post on MN!

Mumof4 - the fact that there are other issues that could be campaigned about does not mean that this is not an issue.

The plain fact is that vulnerable PATIENTS should not be at the mercy of sales reps.

Have you read some of the stories on this thread?

Oh and Justine well done on your appearance on ITV news.

Mumof4, i have no issue with bounty bags, nowerdays its a load of leaflets advertising tat (apparently they did used to be better), but I'm a big girl, I can cope with seeing a bit of advertising without the urge to buy everything I see.

But I am not happy with a sales rep being allowed to go bed to bed on a postnatal ward when my husband and family had to stay out. And (I dont think I've actually mentioned this on MN yet in my 100 posts about this today!) when my local hospital is currently not letting in the breastfeeding helpers, who could actually be very useful!

I'm rereading stateofconfusions original thread btw, and getting even more irate...

I didn't know better when I had DD, I do remember the rep coming after she was born and I was still stuck in bed from CS. I am sure she implied the CB form was only available in the pack.

With DS I was more informed (it was still 9 years ago), and I got hold of a CB form and had it partly filled in in my hospital bag. When the rep came round it was clear she was really cross I'd effectively spiked her guns by having the form. Having heard her talking to other women on the ward the CB form was clearly the main point she pushed on to get them to sign up. I didn't bother being quiet when I explained the forms are easily available elsewhere........

No photos with this rep. Seems to be a local thing where they pass your details to a local photographer. After DD's birth, my name had been passed to a photographer who turned out to be SIL's ex . I do not use DP's (distinctive) surname so there's no way he could have guessed. Didn't bother using him.

PS I have liked on Facebook.