Maternity guidance as visits suspended

Maternity guidance for mums-to-be has been updated at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to ‘help keep mums, babies and staff safe’.

Maternity guidance at South Tyne side and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has been updated with new rules for mums-to-be and families “to help keep mums, babies and staff safe”.

The new guidance says mumsto-be can bring one person with them to their dating scan, anomaly scan and to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) but those attending will only be able to stay during the appointment and must wait outside the building all other times.

The Trust is asking that women attend their antenatal clinic and day unit appointments alone – unless a carer is required which must be pre-arranged with maternity teams.

Visiting has been temporarily suspended to both Sunderland and South Tyneside maternity units and the Trust ask that children are not brought to any appointments

Further guidance released states that one named person can still attend during labour and delivery but this birthing partner cannot leave the department and then return.

Face covering is also required at all times except when in labour and Covid tests should be done at home before all hospital and community appointments and scans.

More information can be obtained by contacting your community midwife.

Or by calling the Midwifery-Led Birthing Centre on 0191 404 1033 or the Maternity Unit on 0191 569 9777.