LAST UPDATE | 26 Apr 2023
THE TOTAL WITHDRAWAL of partner access in maternity hospitals is “not appropriate”, according to the HSE.
Over the last number of weeks, campaigners have criticised how partners continue to be restricted from attending antenatal appointments in some hospitals and are calling for an end to any remaining maternity restrictions.
The call comes alongside the mask mandate coming to an end recently.
During the pandemic, maternity hospitals introduced restrictions, such as not allowing partners attend appointments.
While some hospitals have lifted the restrictions, some women have said others have not and they continue to have to attend important appointments alone.
When asked about the issue, the HSE told The Journal that there are no Covid-related visiting restrictions in place in hospitals.
“The only guidance currently in place is based on the local risk assessments at times of local outbreaks,” said a spokesperson.
They went on to state that separate guidance on access to acute hospitals has been retired.
The HSE said hospitals “must strike a balance” between the need to manage the risk of introduction of Covid-19 or other communicable infectious diseases by people accessing the hospital, while ensuring that patients who need the support of a partner, a nominated support partner, a member of their family or a friend has reasonable access to that person.
“Reasonable access should be facilitated to the greatest degree practical for all patients,” said the spokesperson, adding:
Access may be very limited for a period of time in the early stages of dealing with an outbreak but a total withdrawal of access is not appropriate.
If limitations on access are considered necessary in the case of an outbreak, this should be based on a risk assessment that is carried out by the hospital and must be reviewed regularly.
“A hospital should have a policy on access and should have the capacity and relevant skill sets within its staffing complement to manage access appropriately.
“The hospital should provide information on access that is clear, up to date and consistent across website, leaflets and when talking to staff and patients,” they added.
“This should make it clear how access is facilitated, any limitations that apply, the reasons for those limitations and the expected duration of limitations. Patients and others should be provided with a clearly defined pathway to appeal against limitations on access that they consider as being unreasonable,” said the HSE spokesperson.
Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan raised the issue with Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler last night.
She said the ongoing exclusion of partners from antenatal appointments and assessment units ultimately falls under the remit of the Department and the Minister who have a responsibility to address the ongoing constraints that are contrary to the best care and best practice for people giving birth.
“It is frustrating that people still have to come into this chamber and talk about maternity restrictions and ask the Government to provide guidance to maternity units. It is now more than three years since partner restrictions were implemented in maternity units across the country,” said Hourigan.
In response, Butler said she was surprised when she read the topic that was up for discussion, stating that she was not aware that partner restrictions were still in place.
“I do not believe they are in every maternity hospital but obviously they are still in some. Deputy Hourigan is a mother like myself and we have plenty of dads here in the Dáil Chamber. There are a lot of times in one’s life when one needs support but it is a very important time in one’s life when one needs to have support,” she added.
“The HSE has assured the Department that every effort continues to be made to maximise access for partners and their loved ones during their maternity care, but it is obvious at the moment that this is not the case in all hospitals, as Deputy Hourigan has outlined,” said the minister.
Hourigan said the consideration and risk assessment that results in restrictions being put in place, should be made publicly available.
She said the risk assessments should be published on the hospital website, stating that where restrictions are in place, it would be “incredibly helpful” so as people understand the thinking behind such a decision.
Butler said it was a very “valid point” about the risk assessments and having information available.
“I will certainly relay it to the HSE on her behalf. I thank her again for raising this matter. I did not believe I would be answering a question like this at this stage of Covid but I understand that infection prevention and control measures are really important. They are always taken to support mothers and their babies, especially in the neonatal units,” said the minister.
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