Partners can soon join mums-to-be at hospital
MEN will soon be able to join their pregnant partners for appointments at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital.
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton has said it will start to welcome partners to accompany pregnant women attending some antenatal and scan appointments and to the Maternity Assessment Unit this month. They do not have to be the biological father.
It comes after women had to attend appointments alone due to Covid restrictions limiting the number of people attending hospital.
At Burton’s Queen’s Hospital, partners will be able to attend antenatal and scan appointments and at the Maternity Assessment Unit from Monday, April 26.
A spokesman for the hospital said the date was slightly delayed as “necessary estates works” need to be completed in the antenatal and Maternity Assessment Unit.
The spokesman said: “To maintain safety we are currently completing necessary estate works. However, once these are complete it is expected that access to all our maternity services will be restored by Monday, April 26.
“To maintain effective social distancing in our waiting areas, we will be asking partners to take a seat in marked areas outside the maternity department, and wait to be called into the appointment.
“One partner only can attend; sadly children are not able to accompany the partner at this time.
“Everybody attending must wear a face covering unless they have a medical exemption. Surgical face masks are available at the entrances to our buildings and we will be asking screening questions on arrival.”
To comply with national guidance issued on April 15, the hospital will also be asking pregnant women and their partners, as well as parents visiting babies on the neonatal units, to take part in the Government’s lateral flow test programme and report results twice a week before appointments and visits. The spokesman said: “If anyone is experiencing difficulty obtaining a test, please discuss this with us at your next appointment.
“To take part, the pregnant lady and her support partner must take the test the same day, and confirm the test result with the trust on arrival, as well as logging it on the NHS Digital online platform at home, and provide proof of the test result(s) taken that day.
“Partners who are unable to confirm a negative test result will not be able to attend antenatal or ultrasound scan appointments.”
If the lateral flow test is positive, a pregnant woman will need a confirmatory PCR test. If the PCR is positive the maternity team will put in comprehensive arrangements to allow the mum-to-be to attend their appointment. However, if the partner tests positive they will need to isolate in line with Government guidance.
A replacement accompanying partner can be selected but they must also be able to provide proof of a same day lateral flow negative test.
For further advice, women are urged to speak to their midwife.