New visiting arrangements - answering your questions

Dear all,

We realise that yesterday’s announcement has generated concern for some. This was not a decision that was made lightly, but a decision that was needed to continue to prioritise everyone’s safety in these very challenging times.

We wish to answer as many of your questions as possible but our advice may continue to change over the next few weeks. We are not able to respond to everyone’s individual comments and questions on social media but will endeavour to keep you updated regularly as soon as we have information.

• If women attend for a labour or triage assessment, birth partners will need to drop women at the hospital and wait off site. If women are found to be in labour and ready for admission to Labour Ward, birth partners can be called to attend then.
• Birth partners are permitted to stay a short time after the birth, to spend some time as a family, and to undertake some skin to skin contact if wanted and appropriate, so please be reassured by this.
• Women who come in for an induction of labour to the Antenatal Ward, will be able to call their birth partners in once they are transferred to the Labour Ward.
• Birth partners are permitted to attend with women for their elective caesareans. Birth partners will transport women to the hospital for their electives and then will be asked to wait off site. Women will then contact their birth partners to attend prior to the operation. Unfortunately, there are no facilities for waiting on site.
• At present, visiting to the Neonatal Unit is restricted to parents, but only one parent at a time to limit the number of people entering the ward.
• If you require additional supplies whilst you are in hospital with us, birth partners can drop these supplies at the door and staff will help you pick these up. When you are ready to be discharged, staff can help you pack your belongings and help transport you, your bags and your baby to be picked up outside the ward.
• If women and babies are well and without complications following birth, we will aim to discharge them when clinically safe and appropriate. Please be patient whilst we work hard to do this as safely as we can.

All of our new regulations have been put in place in line with national guidance and to keep you, your babies and NHS staff safe.

The midwives will continue to be there to support and care for you and your baby throughout your stay.