Baby at IWK (CBC)

The head of a provincial health group is calling the IWK Health Centre's bring-your-own-diaper policy "nickel and diming."

Last week, the IWK in Halifax announced it will extend its diaper policy to all families staying in pediatrics, beginning Sept.1, to save an estimated $10,000 to $20,000 a year.

The hospital already required that families in the IWK Women's and Newborn Health Program supply their own diapers.

Lee Seymour, chair of the Nova Scotia Citizen's Health Network, said the province should re-evaluate where it spends money.

"The big things could actually save a lot of money," she said.

"There are so many ways we can meaningfully cut costs, that to cut something like that seems strange. It just makes me think that the province needs to be much more proactive, putting more resources into prevention, putting more resources into home care.

The Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto and The Montreal Children's Hospital have similar policies, but officials at six other children's hospitals across the country told CBC News they don't ask families to bring their own diaper supplies.

Seymour said federal and provincial cutbacks are creating an uneven provision of health care across the country.

The children's hospital said it will provide diapers for famillies who cannot afford them.