Partners or a family member can now also attend scan and antenatal appointments at Doncaster hospitals

At the outset of the pandemic in March 2020, the Trust took the difficult decision to restrict the number of people coming to and from hospital. This followed national guidance implemented across the NHS, and only permitted people to come to site under very specific circumstances.

As the Trust has seen a steady and sustained decline in cases of COVID-19 throughout the past number of the weeks, health professionals within the organisation were able to ease restrictions on 6 April for 12 and 20 week scans, and following the successful implementation of this change, are now extending this offer to all antenatal scans and related doctors’ appointments.

Full guidance for scan appointments can be viewed here: https://www.dbth.nhs.uk/non-essential-visiting-suspended/scan-appointments/. For antenatal appointments, both mother and designated partner must wear a provided fluid resistant face covering and should not be symptomatic of COVID-19. The accompanying adult (no children are allowed) will be asked to wait outside the clinical area until the appropriate time, and will be called in by mum when the doctor is ready. Any non-compliance with mask wearing may result in individuals being asked to leave the department and the appointment cancelled.

At present, it is not possible to accommodate partners within Bassetlaw Hospital’s Antenatal Assessment Unit due to space restrictions and the absence of a waiting room. Colleagues within the Trust are working hard to resolve this issue and will communicate when access in this particular area can be expanded.

Doctors and nurses at the hospitals are urging that visitors should only come if they are well, and are not showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. This includes a high temperature, a persistent cough and a loss of smell or taste. Individuals must also be appropriately masked, as well as taking the opportunity wash their hands upon entry to the hospital.

David Purdue, Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Following the easing of restrictions earlier this month, we are pleased to further extend access for mums and birthing partners. Due to the safety requirements introduced since the pandemic swept across our towns, the footprint of our services has made it difficult to accommodate partners safely. We have been acutely aware of the strength of feeling in our communities about this matter, and our colleagues have pulled out all the stops to ensure that we can safely allow partners to accompany mums to their appointments.

“We are still operating some restrictions, so we ask that individuals read the guidance carefully and we will continue to review our position on a regular basis. I want to also stress the importance that anyone coming to our sites must wear an appropriate face covering, wash their hands regularly and please do not attend, under any circumstances, if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or a temperature.”

Due to a decline in local COVID-19 admissions, the Trust has recently revised its adult visiting restrictions, all of which can be viewed on the Trust’s website: www.dbth.nhs.uk

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