Partners will no longer be able to attend the 20-week scan at University Hospital Waterford from Monday.
The South/South West Hospital Group says there is a need to minimise footfall to their maternity units, to limit the risk of the virus spreading.
They say they are very mindful of the distress these restrictions may cause and that they will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
The group issued a statement this morning saying, "Due to the surge in COVID-19 infections and the move to Level 5 restrictions, we regret that from Monday, 11th January, partners will not be able to attend the routine 20-22 week anatomy scan at the four Maternity Hospitals/units in the South/South West Hospital Group (Cork University Maternity Hospital, and maternity units in University Hospital Waterford, University Hospital Kerry and South Tipperary General Hospital).
They added, "The safety of women, their babies and maternity staff is central to the provision of our maternity services which must be continuously available when required by our patients".
The birthing partner will still be able to attend:
- as soon as the mother is in established Labour;
- for the birth itself;
- for delivery by caesarean section;
- can stay for some time in the immediate post birth period either in the Labour Ward or the Theatre Recovery except in STGH the partner can return to the ward with the patient for one hour as there is no Theatre Recovery room available at the hospital;
- When a baby is in the Neonatal Unit or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit one parent (at a time) can visit their baby – of note the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit visiting times are unrestricted.
Also as a Directorate:
- We are sensitive to specific situations regarding pregnancy loss, stillbirth and unexpected complications and we have adapted our visiting restrictions in these situations;
- All patients who receive a pregnancy loss diagnosis are to be offered the opportunity for her partner to attend at that time. Her partner can attend all subsequent visits.
