FOI 26-242 Breastfeeding Policy

Freedom of Information Request

Reference
FOI 26-242 Breastfeeding Policy
Request Date
27 May 2026
Response Date
29 May 2026
Information Requested

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the support your organisation provides to employees who are breastfeeding or expressing milk upon returning to work following maternity leave. 

Please could you provide the following information: 

  1. Policies and Guidance
  • Do you have a formal policy or guideline relating to breastfeeding and/or expressing milk at work? 
  • If yes, please provide a copy or link to the document(s). 
  1. Facilities
  • What facilities are available for breastfeeding or expressing milk (e.g. dedicated rooms, private spaces, refrigeration, storage)? 
  • Are these facilities available across all sites or only specific locations? 
  1. Flexible Working and Breaks
  • Are employees permitted additional paid or unpaid breaks specifically for breastfeeding or expressing milk? 
  • Is there any flexibility in working patterns (e.g. adjusted hours, remote working) offered to support breastfeeding employees? 
  1. Manager and Staff Support
  • Do line managers receive guidance or training on supporting breastfeeding employees? 
  • Are there any occupational health or wellbeing services specifically available to support breastfeeding staff? 
  1. Awareness and Communication
  • How is information about breastfeeding support communicated to employees (e.g. induction, HR resources, intranet)? 
  1. Monitoring and Uptake
  • Do you collect any data on the uptake or use of breastfeeding support provisions? 
  • If so, please provide any available anonymised summary data. 
  1. Additional Support
  • Does your organisation provide any additional initiatives (e.g. peer support groups, parenting networks, lactation support, wellbeing programmes)? 
Response

Q1 - The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) follows the national NHS Scotland “Once for Scotland” Workforce Breastfeeding Policy, which supports employees who wish to continue breastfeeding or expressing milk on return to work. 

This policy is publicly available and can be accessed here - Breastfeeding Policy Overview (NHS Scotland) 

 

We have applied section 25 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002 as this information is reasonably accessible to you. 

 

Q2 - The provision of facilities for breastfeeding or expressing milk is managed in line with the national policy. 

 

The policy requires employers to: 

 

  • Provide suitable facilities for breastfeeding employees 
  • Provide appropriate facilities for expressing and storing milk 
  • Ensure employees are informed of available facilities  

 

Within the Scottish Ambulance Service: 

  • Facilities are not standardised across all sites, due to the varied nature of operational locations 
  • Arrangements are made locally and on a case-by-case basis, depending on the workplace and service requirements 

 

Q3 - The national policy supports: 

  • Flexible working arrangements to enable breastfeeding 
  • Time and appropriate breaks to express milk 
  • Agreements tailored to the individual employee 

 

Managers are expected to ensure time for breastfeeding or expressing is protected and regularly reviewed.  These arrangements do no impact on pay, in line with the policy provisions. 

 

Q4 - Managers are supported through: 

  • National policy and guidance documents 
  • HR and People Services advice 

 

The policy places responsibility on managers to: 

  • Promote a supportive culture 
  • Agree individual arrangements 
  • Ensure facilities and flexibility are available and communicated 

 

Employees may also access Occupational Health and wellbeing support services where required. 

 

Q5 - Information is communicated via: 

  • NHS Scotland Workforce Policies website 
  • Internal HR/intranet resources 
  • Pre-return discussions between employees and line managers 

 

The national policy also requires organisations to raise awareness of available facilities and support across the workforce. 

 

 

 

 

Q6 - The Scottish Ambulance Service does not routinely collect or centrally record data on the uptake of breastfeeding support provisions.  It is for this reason we have applied section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 as information not held. 

 

Q7 - Support for breastfeeding employees is primarily delivered through: 

  • The national Breastfeeding Policy 
  • Flexible working policies 
  • Occupational Health and wellbeing services 

 

Due to the operational nature of SAS, support is provided on an individual, case-by-case basis rather than through standardised national programmes. 

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