In response to the new ‘Living with Covid’ national guidance in collaboration with the Maternity Voice Partnership we have updated our guidance.
In line with national recommendations, it is no longer necessary to wear a surgical facemask or face covering during your visit to the maternity unit. However if you prefer to wear a facemask these can be found at the main entrance or within each department.
Whilst waiting for a consultation in one of our departments, please observe a 1 metre distance in waiting rooms where possible.
Visiting Arrangements
You may have one support partner 24 hours a day for the duration of your stay.
An additional support partner can attend to support you during labour and immediately following the birth of your baby.
If you need to stay on the Maternity Ward an additional visitor or your children may visit between the hours of 2pm until 7pm.
Visitors are requested not attend if they have symptoms of Covid 19 or have a positive test.
Covid 19 testing for you and your support partner
It is no longer necessary to undertake a lateral flow test before attending any appointment in community or hospital.
Routine Covid 19 testing for support partners is no longer required prior to elective caesarean, prior to admission to hospital or during labour and birth. However, your support partner must not attend the maternity or neonatal unit if they feel unwell or have any symptoms of Covid 19. In such circumstances an alternative asymptomatic support person should be chosen to accompany you.
We will continue to offer you a Covid test as part of your admission to hospital or during labour and regular routine testing will also continue for up to seven days after admission. Testing enables us to keep everyone safe, however accepting or declining a test will not affect your care.
If you have symptoms of Covid 19 or if you have tested positive, you will continue to be able to have your support partner present with you for the duration of maternity attendance or hospital stay if they are symptom free.
