Maternity rules will not be relaxed

The hospitals trust has refused to relax restrictions on how many people can accompany expectant mums during maternity scans and when they give birth.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, pregnant women in Canterbury have had to attend ultrasound appointments alone and only been allowed one birthing partner, in an attempt to reduce the spread of the virus.

But after recent moves by other trusts to relax the rules - which have seen partners allowed at scans - the trust has been urged to do the same.

The East Kent Maternity Voices Partnership is leading the calls for change and is supported by expectant mums. However, the East Kent Hospitals Trust - which runs acute sites in Canterbury, Margate and Ashford - says that due to the facilities’ age, the rooms were built too small to enable social distancing between too many people.

It adds that the chosen birth partner is able to visit from 8am to 8pm while the mother is in hospital, with the only restriction being that they canot stay overnight.

The spokesperson said: “We recognise how difficult this time is for women and their families and apologise for any distress caused to both mums-to-be and their birthing partners. “However, the safety of mothers, babies, partners and our staff is our top priority, and the restrictions on visitors attending scans and antenatal checks unfortunately have to remain in place for the moment.

“We are reviewing these policies all the time regularly; in line with local, regional and national guidance.”

Have you been affected? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk.