Pregnant women told to attend scans alone under new covid rules

Thursday 17 December 2020

Pregnant women won’t be allowed to take companions to ante-natal scans under new rules aiming to prevent the spread of covid to patients and staff - in contrast to new NHS guidance saying they should be allowed to have a supporter with them "at all stages" in pregnancy.

Under the new rules, partners will also only able to be able to attend births if they have tested negative.

Virtual attendance at scans will not be allowed either, nor will videos of the examination. 

Health officials explained that holding a mobile phone can lead to a taut abdomen, which makes scanning difficult, and that it may also impeded the ultrasound practitioner from carrying out their work. 

Hospital staff will, however, offer to take photos for patients. The hospital will also provide a ‘cineloop’ – a sequence of digital images – which the patient can then record. 

Medical Director of Health, Patrick Armstrong, commented: “While we understand this will be frustrating, these restrictions are in place for a number of reasons including the fact we must aim for the shortest possible examination times to reduce risk for patients and staff.” 

Pictured: New NHS guidance says pregnant women should be able to have a supporter with them "at all stages of her maternity journey."

The rules stating that a woman cannot be accompanied during scans issued yesterday appear to differ from new NHS guidance released this week, which states: "Pregnant women value the support from a partner, relative, friend or other person through pregnancy and childbirth as it facilitates emotional wellbeing and is a key component of safe and personalised maternity care.

"It is therefore our aim, further to a risk assessment, that a woman should have access to support from a person of her choosing at all stages of her maternity journey and that all trusts should facilitate this as quickly as possible.

"At the same time it is our priority to prevent and control covid-19 infection and keep women and staff safe. Many trusts have already found creative solutions to overcome remaining challenges and they have maximised the support that pregnant women can receive throughout their pregnancy. It is important now that all trusts do this."

The guidance goes on to state that risk assessments should be carried out, that hospitals should look at changing configurations of space, to make the most of testing capabilities and "treat support people who test negative as part of the team supporting the woman."

This morning, Deputy Louise Doublet put forward an urgent question to the Health Minister about this, asking: “Could the Minister explain the reasons why pregnant women will not be permitted to have a support partner with them for any ante-natal scans, given that NHS guidance issued on 14th December emphasised the importance of support partner involvement; and state the negative impacts on mothers, babies and partners which could potentially arise as a result of his new policy?”

The Minister replied that the decision was taken following guidance from the Infection Control team, and following a workplace risk assessment. He said that he was aware some staff had caught covid from people attending appointments, adding: "We recognise the harm that is caused, the possible upset, and why mothers would wish to have their partners with them, but it is important to bear down on the spread of covid in a hospital where we take in the sickest people in our island."

Pictured: Patrick Armstrong, Medical Director of Health.

The Government also announced yesterday that it would be suspending all visits to mental health facilities.

Mr Armstrong explained that he was aware that the suspension of visits to Orchard House, Beech Ward and Cedar Ward would impact families, but said that the “priority” was keeping staff, patients and the wider public safe. Officials said are being encouraged to maintain contact with family and friends by calling and sending messages.

Mr Armstrong also said that visiting would resume “once it is safe to do so.”

“I would like to reassure islanders that our healthcare system is prepared and equipped to deal with this pandemic – and our services are adjusting to cope with the current challenges,” he said.