Partners allowed to attend appointments during pregnancies in Hull

It's thanks to a new "pod" structure at the hospital...

Author: Seb CheerPublished 6th Apr 2021
Last updated 6th Apr 2021

Partners are now able to attend antenatal appointments and scans at Hull Women and Children's Hospital, thanks to a new "pod" structure.

Additional safe space has been created, in order to allow visiting in line with new national guidance.

Extra screens are in place, as well as a "buzzer" system, common in some restaurants, to allow women and the person with them to maintain social distancing while waiting.

Head of Midwifery Lorraine Cooper said: “Our focus has been on keeping the women and babies in our care, as well as our own staff, as safe as possible in line with social distancing measures to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.

"For women not to have their partners with them at every appointment has caused some women and their partners great distress and we’re sorry for that."

Lorraine Cooper added: “We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these changes but if there is a rise in cases locally we may need to review these measures. We will continue to inform the public of any changes through all our normal channels.

“We encourage women not to cancel any appointments based on the relaxing of these restrictions.

“Thank you to everyone for being patient and understanding to support our staff to provide safe care.”

  • From today (Tuesday 6th April), women attending the Women and Children’s Hospital will be able to bring one adult to their dating scan (usually undertaken around 12 weeks of pregnancy) and to scan appointments at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit
  • From Monday 19th April, women attending the Antenatal Day Unit will be able to bring along one adult to the department
  • From Thursday 29th April, women attending for growth scans throughout their pregnancy will be able to bring one adult to accompany them to their scan
  • From Monday 17th May, women attending the Antenatal Clinic at the hospital will be able to bring one adult

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