Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020
352. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his views on the campaign to lift restrictions in maternity hospitals for birth partners and expectant fathers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44070/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with campaign members seeking the lifting of restrictions in maternity hospitals along with senior HSE officials. [44079/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 355 together.
I acknowledge that the visitor restrictions in our maternity hospitals, which were introduced because of Covid-19, are particularly difficult for expectant women and their partners. However, the restrictions, while very regrettable, are considered necessary to protect the safety of patients, the wellbeing of staff and the operability of our maternity services.
The National Women & Infants Health Programme has assured the Department that midwifery and obstetrical front-line staff are acutely aware of the important support provided by partners at the time of birth and that they wish to facilitate this support as far as possible.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has issued guidance regarding attendance at hospitals during the pandemic, which includes attendance at maternity hospitals. The guidance advises that restrictions on partner visiting; accompanying persons in labour; or parents visiting neonatal intensive care units, should be based on a documented risk assessment that is regularly reviewed. I am advised that any such decisions are informed by this guidance and with due regard to local circumstances, including infrastructure, local rates of community infection and infection rates in members of staff.
The Deputy may wish to note that the HSE has now re-classified partners as an ‘essential companion’ for the purpose of fetal anomaly or anatomy scans. The Department has been advised that the HSE has issued updated guidance to maternity hospitals, and the expectation is that commencing this week, partners’ attendance at fetal anomaly or anatomy scans will be facilitated, where possible, having regard to overall patient and staff safety.
However, it is important to emphasise that if a case of Covid-19 is linked to a maternity unit, Public Health teams will undertake a public health risk assessment, and it may be necessary to re-introduce restrictions.
Any requests for meetings should be forwarded, in the normal way, to my Diary Secretary.
