Partners allowed to attend antenatal appointments at Hull Hospital
Measures have now been put in place to allow partners to attend antenatal appointments at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says that it has been working for months, exploring potential solutions which might allow partners to accompany women to scan and antenatal appointments.
Now, in line with national guidance, new ‘pods’ have been installed, creating Covid-safe spaces for partners.
Head of Midwifery Lorraine Cooper said:
“Our focus has been on keeping the women and babies in our care, as well as our own staff, as safe as possible in line with social distancing measures to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
“For women not to have their partners with them at every appointment has caused some women and their partners great distress and we’re sorry for that.
“We have worked with our Estates teams and have created extra space which would allow one named partner to be with women for future scan and antenatal appointments.”
Women attending their 12 week dating scan can now bring one adult along with them.
As of Monday 19th April, women attending the Antenatal Day Unit will be able to bring along one adult to the department.
Additionally, from Thursday 29th April, women attending for growth scans throughout their pregnancy will also be able to bring one adult to accompany them.
Finally, from Monday 17th May, women attending the Antenatal Clinic for any reason will be able to bring one adult along.
According to the trust, these changes have been made possible due to the falling number of cases in Hull, along with the introduction of additional safety measures.
Visiting arrangements on the Labour Ward, the Fatima Allam Birth Centre, Maple Ward, Rowan Ward and appointments in the community setting remain unchanged.
“We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these changes but if there is a rise in cases locally we may need to review these measures,” continued Lorraine Cooper.
“We will continue to inform the public of any changes through all our normal channels.
“We encourage women not to cancel any appointments based on the relaxing of these restrictions.
“Thank you to everyone for being patient and understanding to support our staff to provide safe care.”
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