A good start, but still a way to go...
The Rotunda hospital has added additional visitor hours to inpatient wards following the easing of COVID restrictions.
As of today, patients of the postnatal, antenatal/prenatal and gynae wards can have a nominated companion join them in the morning as well as during the existing evening hours on weekdays.
The new slot will allow patients to be accompanied from 10am-11.30am on top of the 4pm-8pm evening hours.
If a patient is being discharged in the morning, their companion will also be allowed to stay until the process is complete.
Weekend hours have also been extended to 11am-8pm. The rest of the hospital's restrictions remain the same.
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This update comes following a
campaign to protest the stringent restrictions in place for maternity services.
Though increased visitor hours is welcome news, frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the easing of COVID restrictions in maternity care is still very much present.
Clinical director of the HSE Women and Infant’s Health Programme, Dr Peter McKenna, advised
maternity hospitals to begin easing their restrictions two weeks ago. Though some hospitals have began making changes and increasing visitor hours, the lack of urgency has left many feeling like maternity care is an afterthought to the government and healthcare system.
Areas like hospitality, GAA, non-essential retail and salons were given possible dates for re-opening, yet there is still no specific roadmap in place for the removal of restrictions in maternity hospitals.
