Despite the easing of some restrictions around maternity care, expecting parents still have questions about what restrictions are still in place and so far these have gone “unanswered”.
This is the view of Sinn Féin Galway West TD, Mairéad Farrell, who has called on UHG to provide expectant parents’ with information around what restrictions remain in place.
Saolta had announced that some maternity restrictions would ease from April 26, including partners being allowed to attend anomaly scans and to visit St Catherine’s Ward, St Angela’s Ward, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
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However, that announcement brought “a flurry of requests” for clarification, and according to Dep Farrell, these have not been answered.
“Partners are meant to be able to attend the ‘birth,’ but there has not been clarity on what is included in that, or how ‘established labour’ is defined,” she said. “Some expectant parents have also requested the data from the risk assessments that helped the hospital decide on restrictions. This request has also not been answered.”
'The recent cyber attacks on the HSE has affected the hospital’s ability to communicate, but expecting parents have been waiting since the end of April'
Dep Farrell said that at UHG, partners are only allowed to visit between 7pm and 8pm, and only for a half an hour in the NICU. “This does not go far enough,” she said. “Fathers are not visitors; they are parents who are equally as responsible for their child as the mother is.”
The director general of the HSE has said that if maternity hospital managers feel they cannot comply with the HSE’s request to lift maternity restrictions, they should communicate the reasons for continuing with restrictions to expectant mothers.
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Sinn Féin Galway West TD, Mairéad Farrell.
“This vital communication has been lacking from UHG,” alleged Dep Farrell. “I understand the recent cyber attacks on the HSE has severely affected the hospital’s ability to communicate with patients, but expecting parents have been waiting since the end of April.
“The fact that individual hospitals are ultimately allowed to take a decision that will negatively impact expectant parents, and ignore advice from the Chief Medical Officer, shows maternity healthcare is not a priority in this country.”
Dep Farrell said that as restrictions continue to ease across society, expecting parents should be prioritised. “Expecting parents deserve access to support from their partner,” she said. “They deserve answers about why this is not being provided.”
