Pregnant women told to go 'alone' in raft of new restrictive hospital measures amid rise in coronavirus

Only one birth partner will be allowed to join women giving birth while ward visiting will be restricted to just the birth partner - but only for a two hour slot.

Maternity Services at Portsmouth Hospitals said all antenatal ultrasound scans and appointments will now have to be attended alone - as will all labour assessments.

The measures, due to come in at midnight tonight, are set to last until lockdown is lifted but will be reviewed on a daily basis.

Announcing the new restrictions on its Facebook page, the department said: ‘In view of the national lockdown and the increasing local cases within the community and the hospital the following visiting restrictions will come into place from midnight tonight.

‘We are sorry that it has come to this and appreciate the anxiety it may cause. The safety of the woman and babies in our care, their families, and all our staff remains our priority and this new guidance has been put in place with that in mind.

‘We anticipate this will remain in place for the remainder of lockdown, and will be reviewed daily.’

Declaring the details of the new measures, the post added: ‘All antenatal ultrasound scans and appointments to be attended alone.

‘All early labour assessments to be attended alone, please be assured you will be seen within 15 minutes, and your partner will be invited in at this point if in established labour.

‘Only one nominated birth partner may join you in labour. Ward visiting (will be) restricted to the birth partner only for a two hour allocated slot daily.’

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