Maternity hospital partner access
Deputy Wynne asks whether the Tánaiste has read women’s experiences from a march for maternity and seeks better partner access. The Tánaiste says maternity access decisions are made locally under national guidance and that staff are trying to maximise attendance safely.
Yesterday saw a very powerful and poignant rally outside the gates of Leinster House. The march for maternity reminded us there is still an important part of society to which somehow, inexplicably, the Government has not responded and it highlighted the change in circumstances in which we find ourselves 19 months down the line of this pandemic. Has the Tánaiste read the experiences of the women detailed on the scroll that was delivered to the Dáil yesterday? If not, will he ensure he does so? Does he understand there are far wider-reaching risks than solely those posed by Covid-19 to the health of mothers and babies? His Government claims that radical listening forms part of the latest HSE women-centred strategy, but yesterday the women's demonstration contended that rather than experiencing radical listening, they have been experiencing selective hearing. The pandemic has presented unfathomable challenges-----
Comment on this
Decisions on access of partners at maternity hospitals are made, implemented and reviewed at hospital level. The decisions are informed by national guidance with due regard to local circumstances, including infrastructure, local rates of community infection and infection rates among members of staff. The HSE has advised that staff are endeavouring to maximise the attendance of partners within maternity services while ensuring they are in compliance with the HSE's clinical guidelines. It should be emphasised the latest guidelines highlight the importance of taking a person-centred approach to recognising situations in which the presence of a nominated support person is required.