Latest news in Yorkshire: April 09, 2019 10:21:43 AM
#wathupondearne
Rotherham mums are being offered an hour’s free childcare so they can
attend potentially life-saving cervical screening.
Childcare providers in Rotherham are joining others from across the
country in offering to look after children for free to encourage mums to
get tested. The initiative coincides with a campaign from Public Health
England which aims to increase screening rates which have dropped to a
20-year low.
So far, 48 registered day nurseries and childminders across Rotherham
are offering one hour’s free childcare, and it is thought more will take
part as news of the scheme spreads.
Rebecca Mughal, who runs Safe and Sound Childminding in central
Rotherham said, “I’ve had friends and know childminders that have had
cancer. It’s horrible that children can be left without their mums or
grandparents. I know that mums are really busy between looking after
their children, work and other commitments, so it’s really important
that everyone has the opportunity to go along to their cervical
screening appointments.
“The idea came from a fellow childminder who offered free childcare to a
busy mum who’d not had chance to go to her appointment because of
childcare issues. Her story spread through the childminder network on
social media, and it’s really spiralled from there. I let fellow
Rotherham childminders know that I was going to offer this and asked who
else was on board and where they were based so we could start to spread
the word to parents.”
Cllr David Roche, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and
Social Care added, “It’s really important that women go for their
cervical screening. It’s a five minute test and could save your life.
We’re really pleased to hear about the support on offer from childcare
providers in Rotherham, especially at a time when screening rates are so
low.”
To find out details of childcare providers, contact Rotherham Families
Information Service. Anyone interested in becoming a childminder can
also get in touch for information about available courses.
Email: fis@rotherham.gov.uk
Tel: 0800 0730230
[tags cervical, childcare, rotherham]