Following an update to national guidance in Wales on COVID-19 infection prevention and control, a number of changes have been made for maternity visiting, attending obstetric scans (ultrasounds) and maternity appointments at hospitals and maternity sites. Visiting guidance and information on Paediatric and Neonatal services is available on the general hospital visiting page.
Maternity visiting guidance across North Wales continues to be informed by community transmission rates, COVID-19 admission numbers, hospital outbreaks, Infection Prevention Control Policy and local risk assessments are reviewed weekly. The situation in a health care setting can change rapidly and it is important to check with the ward/ department/ community site at that time.
All visiting will be by appointment and all visitors will require an individual risk assessment to be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit for both exceptional and general visiting arrangements, in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe. To request further information on how we assess maternity visiting arrangements, you can get in touch here.
People visiting will no longer be asked to provide evidence of a negative Lateral Flow test (LFD) test when attending maternity settings.
They will, however, still be screened (asked to complete a questionnaire and have their temperature taken and recorded). They must remain vigilant for symptoms in the interests of protecting or patients, babies, staff and visitors.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms, will not be permitted to visit whilst they are infectious.
All visitors to the maternity ward or unit will be required to complete a screening questionnaire including a temperature check before entry. Visitors are not permitted in areas whereby there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, except in exceptional circumstances.
With prior arrangement, a single birth partner or nominated person can visit the maternity unit for up to four hours. This remains strictly by appointment only, arranged directly with the maternity ward/ unit. There remains a limit on the number of people allowed in an area at one time to protect all of our patients, babies, staff and other visitors.
A single birth partner or nominated person can attend with their partner when they are in active labour. They can also attend theatre for an elective or emergency caesarean section.
Visitors must comply at all times with the following safety measures that are in place:
Providing that the single birth partner or nominated person is not testing positive for COVID-19 or showing symptoms they can attend all; Antenatal Clinics in a hospital setting, Consultant Antenatal Clinics in hospitals and other community health care settings and all Obstetrics scan appointments also in hospitals and other community health care settings.
Unfortunately, when a scan is undertaken at the Maternity Outpatient Assessment Unit and Early Labour Assessment Units in Glan Clwyd Hospital previous restrictions remain in place. This is because we are unable to meet the social distancing requirements in those areas.
Published 22/07/2022
Our home birth service is being temporarily suspended due to ongoing system pressures.
Our primary concern is the safety of our mothers and babies and in the event of a home birth needing emergency transfer to a hospital, we must be confident of a timely response. The small number of families affected are being contacted directly by our midwives.
The situation will be reviewed at the end of August.
Consideration should also be given to the needs of women who require additional support/essential assistance to access maternity services and for whom reasonable adjustments may be required. This may be in the following situations, which are by no means exhaustive:
We encourage family and friends of patients under our care to consider alternative ways of keeping in touch. This includes the use of our hospitals’ free WiFi to use FaceTime or video calling. We can help make this happen and inpatients can loan an IPAD from our can Patient Advice and Liaison Support Service (PALS) to use on the ward.
They are here to help you and will do their best to resolve issues quickly and directly with those concerned. If you have an enquiry about visiting restrictions or a concern about a friend or relative who has been admitted, please contact PALS, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday except Bank holidays).