Visiting Hours
Maternity Department
UPDATED VISITING GUIDANCE FOR PARTNERS
As a maternity department, we aim to empower each woman to have a positive labour and birth experience and to enable each woman to have the support of a nominated support partner of their choice throughout the process of labour and birth. We endeavour to ensure nominated support partners are with women during every stage of their labour, including induction of labour and birth.
Due to COVID-19, safety within the department is being continuously reviewed with regard to local infrastructure, activity within the department and the necessity at all times to maintain social distancing.
In line with recent national guidance (published on hpsc.ie), we are facilitating the following access for birthing partners/parents
There are separate visiting arrangements in respect of the Maternity Department, which are as follows:
- Nominated support partner of women in labour are welcome to attend for the birth and nominated support partner can attend a caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia, subject to screening questions and wearing PPE (surgical mask and gown) in the theatre.
- Nominated support partner access is possible between 8am and 9pm, apart from clinical activities including ward rounds.
- Nominated support partner will be facilitated between 9pm and 8am if delivery is anticipated or due to distressing circumstances
- This is subject to screening questions and wearing a face mask in the ward area.
- A nominated support partner may attend for all scans, including EPAU.
- A nominated support partner can attend the High Risk Antenatal Clinic.
For all other clinics, please discuss nominated support partner access with the Clinical Midwifery Manager prior to attending the appointment. This is due to the need to monitor capacity within the clinics and maintain social distancing.
Nominated support partners do not need to show EU Digital COVID certificate or HSE COVID-19 vaccination record or other proof of immunity.
The Maternity Department does not facilitate nominated support partners to stay overnight on the Antenatal and Postnatal wards.
Antenatal Clinic
For routine antenatal clinics please discuss nominated support partner access with the Clinical Midwifery Manager prior to attending the appointment. This is due to the need to monitor capacity within the clinics and maintain social distancing.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Parents of an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit may visit, one parent at a time. Parents must wear a face mask in the clinical area. Grandparents and children are not allowed to visit the NICU.
If a nominated support partner has COVID-19 symptoms, is awaiting a COVID-19 test or test result, or has had a positive test within the last 14 days, they must not come to the hospital. But an alternative nominated support partner may attend. Nominated support partners must wear a face mask at all times, maintain social distancing and use hand gel to clean their hands regularly.
The current visiting restrictions are kept under review and will be updated in line with national recommendations
Guidance on access to Acute Hospitals for Nominated Support Partners
RCPI NIAC update for Covid Vaccination in Pregnancy
Covid 19 Vaccine Information & Pregnancy – RCOG Guidance
Covid 19 Vaccine Information & Pregnancy – HSE Guidance
Covid 19 Virus Infection and Pregnancy
Covid 19 update IMPS-IOG-COVID-Vaccine-Infographic-V130121
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