Management at Letterkenny University Hospital are set to review visiting restrictions in the Maternity Department next week.
The hospital said that Donegal’s high Covid-19 incidence rate is a determining factor in whether partners can be allowed at the unit.
LUH currently allows birthing partners to attend only when a women is in labour and at the 20 week scan.
Calls have been made for uniform guidelines for partner visits nationwide, while restrictions are currently set by each individual hospital. Members of the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services Ireland (AIMS Ireland) staged a small in-person protest at the hospital on Tuesday, which was attended by Senator Eileen Flynn.
Saolta, which has responsibility for LUH, said the local Covid-19 rates and a recent outbreak in the maternity unit must be taken into consideration.
A spokesperson said: “While the community transmission rates in Donegal have improved, the 14 day incidence rate remains twice the national average and the risk associated with COVID-19 remains. The hospital has had a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the Maternity Department and it was important for the duration of the outbreak to minimise the number of people visiting the Department. The arrangements for visiting by partners on the maternity ward will be reviewed again next week.”
“We appreciate the patience shown by families over the past year in supporting us to keep our patients and services safe from COVID-19.”
Currently at Letterkenny University Hospital the following access is being facilitated for birthing partners/parents:
- Birthing partners of women in labour are welcome to attend and partners can attend a caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia. Partners will be subject to screening questions and wearing PPE.
- Parents of an infant in the Special Care Baby Unit may visit.
- A partner or support person may attend for the anomaly (20 week) scan.
If a partner has COVID-19 symptoms, is awaiting a COVID-19 test or test result or has had a positive test within the last 14 days they must not come to the hospital. In this event an alternative birth partner may attend. Partners must wear a face mask at all times, maintain social distancing and use the available hand gel to clean their hands regularly.
The details of the visiting restrictions in the Maternity Departments are updated regularly on the HSE website at: https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospital-service-disruptions/hospital-service-disruptions-covid19.html