Create a Tongue-Tie Service for South Warwickshire

We, the undersigned, believe that tongue-tie is a significant condition, which, when symptomatic, should be treated as early as possible.

It is imperative that South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust creates a care pathway for babies suffering from tongue-tie as a matter of urgency.

We know that unresolved tongue-ties can cause difficulties with breast and bottle feeding as infants do not possess the tongue mobility and function necessary for proper latch or suckling. This can result in poor infant weight gain and maternal pain. We know that division of tongue-tie in early infancy is a quick and simple procedure that can immediately resolve feeding problems.

We want all babies born within the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust area to be examined for anterior, posterior and sub-mucosal tongue-ties at birth by trained individuals as part of the newborn baby checks. Where symptomatic, we want formal assessment and intervention before discharge from hospital.

We ask for division to happen promptly, within 48 hours of birth, and for this to be carried out by trained NHS specialists. We also call for all Health Visitors, GPs and Speech Therapists to be able to refer suspected cases to this same service.

We believe South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust has a duty of care to provide this service, in accordance with its values and the NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidelines.