Please support our maternity department this Christmas

As we are into the festive season, we are asking for the support of women, pregnant people and their families.

We have new visiting guidance in place in response to the revised Government restrictions, referred to as Plan B, to limit the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

The main updates are:

• One nominated person can be with a woman/pregnant person during labour
• Visiting on the wards will be permitted from 1pm-5pm each day
• All antenatal appointments will be for the woman/pregnant person to attend only
• Both a woman/pregnant person and partner can attend scans. All must carry out a quick COVID-19 test (lateral flow test) before the visit – more details are available here
• Attendance at the Maternal and Fetal Assessment Unit (MFAU) will be for the woman/pregnant person only
• Any partners who are COVID-19 positive are not able to attend the hospital and must follow Government guidance on isolation
• Face masks must be worn for all appointments and within the hospital setting at all times, unless you are exempt
• No children are able to attend any appointments either within the hospital or community setting

Our Maternity Unit is open as normal over the festive period. We are expecting 11 babies to be born on Christmas Day, supported by our team of experienced midwives and doctors.

Christmas time is a special time for us all, especially for our new mums and babies. Please support us by following all of the latest guidance to ensure that we can provide high quality care whilst keeping women, pregnant people, babies, their families and our people safe.

Best wishes

Giuseppe Labriola

Director of midwifery