Maternity unit has strict new rules in place

Following a number of instances of visitors going into hospital with Covid-19 symptoms, birthing partners who are intending to accompany expectant mothers to Loveridge Ward are now required to have a Covid swab every 96 hours from a week before the due date.

Both the mother and birthing partner are being asked to self-isolate or, at the very least, minimise social contacts as much as possible during this time.

Birthing partners are among the very small number of people who can visit the hospital for non-clinical reasons.

At Friday’s press conference, Health & Social Care president Deputy Al Brouard confirmed there had been issues caused by visitors who attended the PEH while knowingly symptomatic.

‘We are trying to protect the whole hospital to minimise the risk of any services being compromised by infection and then potentially not being available for the whole Bailiwick,’ he said.

‘In such an eventuality in the UK, patients could be re-directed to another hospital, but we only have one hospital.

‘We need to protect our PEH.’

One birthing partner can still attend labours, non-theatre births and postnatal stays in Loveridge Ward, as long as all the new guidelines are followed strictly.

Birthing partners will be screened when entering the hospital and must have an admission swab and daily swab throughout their stay.

They will also have their temperature checked regularly.

Once they have arrived, they must remain on the ward for the duration of their stay, they are not free to come and go.

Smokers will be offered nicotine replacement therapy and meals and refreshments will be provided on the ward.

There will be the option for a birthing partner to sleep on the ward if need be.

Deputy Brouard said these measures would not be introduced if HSC did not deem them completely essential.

They will only be kept in place for as long as is necessary.

‘We have a very passionate maternity team that are so sympathetic to how difficult and distressing these current restrictions can be.

‘They are 100% committed to helping women and families have the best birthing experience possible, whatever the circumstances. It is what gets them out of bed in the morning, and the middle of the night. They are here for you 24/7.’

Guidelines guidance

Additional guidelines to be strictly adhered to include:

. Birthing partners who have been identified as a close contact of a positive case, or a symptomatic case awaiting a test result will not be permitted to attend the unit.

. The wearing of face masks is compulsory throughout the time they are in the maternity unit. Disposable gloves must be worn until receipt of a negative result from their admission swab. Non-compliance will result in being asked to leave the unit by the midwife in charge.

. Birthing partners must not to come to the ward if they have any symptoms of Covid. If symptoms develop during their stay, they must inform the midwife in charge and immediately leave the ward, isolate and contact Public Health for advice. The midwife in charge will assess any breach of PPE and take action in conjunction with public health and infection prevention advice.

. Those not in side rooms will need to use the visitors’ bathroom, where they will need to use the provided wipes for facilities. Masks must be worn.

. Birth partners cannot stay throughout the induction process, but will be invited in when labour is establishing and can support during the postnatal stay.

. Birth partners will not be able to attend antenatal appointments, scans or theatre until deemed safe by hospital management and Public Health.