Dr Andy Raffles is director of Children's Services for the East andNorth Herts NHS Trust, and is also a fellow of the University ofHertfordshire and a lecturer in paediatrics for the University ofCambridge.
His role will be as an adviser on health-related policies.
'If Asquith need to come up with a strategy related to a particularinfection or if the position on swine flu changes, I will work withAsquith on how we can manage that,' said Dr Raffles. 'I have alreadybeen working with Asquith on a comprehensive policy on allergies thatnurseries can use and how to manage the rest of the nursery whilekeeping children safe.
'Asquith prides itself on being inclusive, so if it is has a child withHIV, I will be able to work with that nursery on how to care for thechild and not exclude anyone. I have also been working with Asquith onchild protection policies.'
Dr Raffles added that he hoped his role would 'stop a lot ofscaremongering that goes on'.
He said, 'If a child goes into hospital and is found to have MRSA, I canwork with the nursery on how to deal with it.'
Dr Raffles, who has worked as a paediatrician in the NHS for more than20 years, will also answer health questions from parents on the nurserychain's website.
Asquith's marketing director Chris West said, 'We believe in offeringthe highest level of childcare at all our nurseries, and that nowincludes healthcare advice, which we feel is particularly relevant inthe present climate.'
