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The issue of partners not being allowed attend maternity service appointments and for long periods ahead of the birth of children is being highlighted by an advocacy group as some restrictions are still in place at some hospitals
Families seeking access for partners for maternity services are staging a protest at Sligo University Hospital this morning.
Earlier this week, the Chief Medical Officer stated that there was no public health reason for restrictions for partners to continue.
The HSE has been contacting the country s 19 maternity units to tell them partners must be allowed into the 20 week scan, births and neonatal visits.
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Maternity units have been given until the end of the day to explain why they are still imposing restrictions on partners of pregnant people.
The HSE has already issued guidelines stating that, at a minimum, partners should be allowed to attend the 20-week scan, active labour and during neo-natal care.
However, different restrictions remain in place at some of the country’s 19 maternity units as each hospital has autonomy to set its own rules.
This morning, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he was “getting quite frustrated” with the lack of progress on the situation.
“All 19 maternity units are being contacted right now and they are being told very clearly what the guidance is from the Chief Clinical Officer – which is that, at a minimum, there is access for the 20-week scan, for birth and for neo-natal,” he said.
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Covid-19 maternity curbs violating women s rights at Portlaoise and other hospitals
Protest at Portlaoise hospital over Covid-19 restrictions on expecting mums and dads
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Women have mounted a protest at Portlaoise hospital in an effort to force the removal of restrictions on parents expecting to have a child at the maternity unit.
The protest is part of a national series of demonstrations at the gates of hospitals around Ireland where they say measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 restrictions have not been relaxed.
The protestors, who come from an alliance of different groups, believe the measures are no longer needed and could be eased for parents to ensure both parents can attend during scans and throughout labour.