Question reference: S5W-33400
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 20 November 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 10 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there can be a variance between NHS boards on the visiting or attendance rights of the partners of women in labour when these areas are under the same COVID-19 restrictions level.
Answer
Scottish Government recently published updated Maternity and Neonatal Hospital visiting guidance that is in line with the move to COVID-19 local protection levels as detailed in Coronavirus (COVID-19):Scotland's Strategic Framework .
This guidance is intended to support maternity units in developing local guidance for visiting in maternity settings. A birth partner supporting a women during hospital visits, including induction, labour and birth is categorised as an essential visitor and is permitted at all of the five COVID restriction levels.
Some additional measures may be implemented by Boards, for example restrictions in waiting areas or time restrictions on postnatal visits, but only where required to support physical distancing.