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 the illness throughout the past number of the weeks, health professionals within the organisation are pleased to be able to ease certain restrictions safely.
From Tuesday 6 April, partners can accompany mums to both 12 and 20 week scans, with both asked to adhere to the following terms:
- Individuals must wear a mask at all times, as well as observe appropriate social distancing (this includes those vaccinated against COVID-19).
- Only one adult partner can accompany during the scan (please note: If you attend with children your partner will be asked to wait outside with them, if you attend alone you will be rebooked at a later date).
- You must arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to scan appointment time. If you arrive too early you may be asked to wait outside due to social distancing measures.
- You must wait in the area provided until called for your scan. Partners must also wait where requested until called.
- Ensure you have a mobile phone with you so that you can communicate with the attending partner to join you just prior to going into scan appointment. You will be informed of this process on arrival.
- When entering the scan room the accompanying adult will be advised where they can sit. They should not move from this area during the scan.
- Filming or phone use is not permitted during the scan under any circumstances.
- If you want to find out the sex of your baby, this can be done at the end of the 20 week anomaly scan. The expectant mum will be informed verbally and will not be written down.
- Failure to adhere to the above principles may result in partners being asked to leave the department and could result in your scan being cancelled.
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: “We are very pleased to be able to welcome partners back to obstetric scans at 12 and 20 weeks. 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 radiology 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