Leeds Teaching Hospitals have announced a shakeup of its Covid-19 rules on its maternity wards.
From today, expecting mothers can have two birthing partners present when they give birth and will be allowed a supportive adult during scans, appointments, and assessments.
Pregnant women are also allowed one additional visitor in addition to one birth partner when on the antenatal and postnatal wards.
The hospital also announced that a birth partner who tests negative for Covid-19 can be present on the delivery suite even if the expecting mum tests has Covid-19.
Birth partners are still required to test negative for Covid-19 but all other visitors are not required to take a lateral flow test.
A spokesperson for Leeds Maternity said on social media: “We are so happy to announce new visiting guidance for Leeds Maternity from today.
“Two birth partners can be present on the delivery suite, one supportive adult can attend all scans, outpatient appointments and assessment areas. One additional adult visitor can attend the antenatal and postnatal wards during visiting hours of 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm – in addition to one birth partner from 8am-8pm.
“Any inpatient who is Covid-19 positive can be accompanied by a birth partner who tests negative on lateral flow test. LFTs are not required for other visitors. We will continue to implement social distancing (now 1m) and face masks should continue to be worn.
“Visitors must not have any symptoms of Covid-19 or any other infection when visiting and should not have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 10 days.”
