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Care Opinion

Allowing partners into hospital

Posted By First-time-mum

"Allowing partners into hospital"

About: Aberdeen Maternity Hospital / Obstetrics (Maternity care)

(as a service user),

I was recently admitted to triage just after Aberdeen was put back into lockdown and partners were no longer allowed into the maternity hospital. I completely understand the rationale for this to minimise the number of people entering the building however it is extremely distressing as a patient when you are in severe pain so bad that you are struggling to walk to not be allowed to have your partner with you. My partner had to leave me at the door to the ward not knowing what was going to happen to me or our baby which was extremely upsetting for both my partner and myself as a first time mother and makes a scary situation even more frightening. I wish that in certain circumstances exceptions could be made for the well-being of patients. The staff were all lovely and did their best to make me feel at ease but it is not the same as having your partner to comfort you.

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Responses

Response from Liz Cheung, Lead Midwife for Maternity and Women Services, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, NHS Grampian 3 years ago
Liz Cheung
Lead Midwife for Maternity and Women Services, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 11/08/2020 at 11:02
Published on Care Opinion at 11:02

picture of Liz Cheung

Dear First-time-mum,

Thank you for getting in touch to provide feedback, as a service we have worked really hard to try and make sure what we are doing with regard to partners/visitors is based on the best information available to us, looking closely at any perceived risk.

Unfortunately as you point out due to the rise in cases and the announcement by the First Minister that a local lockdown was now imposed, in interests of safety for all other pregnant women and staff, NHS Grampian instructed us that we were to revert to previous imposed restrictions.

We absolutely consider each case on individual merit, however there are only a few reasons why we would consider it essential that a partner be present in Triage during lockdown and that is if you are in labour or if you require your partner to be present to act on your behalf.

I apologise that the restrictions left you feeling scared and upset, this is not the intention but heartened to hear that the staff did their best to comfort and reassure you.

Kind Regards

Liz

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