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09
Sep 2020
‘Postcode lottery of stringent visitor restrictions’ puts pregnant women at risk of spending days alone in hospital
A human rights charity has warned that pregnant women are potentially being forced to spend days alone in hospital prior to giving birth as they grapple with a postcode lottery due to stringent restrictions around visitors.
Birthrights, which campaigns for respectful pregnancy care, said mothers to be are routinely being blocked from having their birthing partner present until they are in active labour, which can be “worrying” for women as they wait for their labour to start in hospital.
The charity said that, because of rules around visitors in many NHS trusts remaining the same as they were at the worst point of the coronavirus crisis, even in areas where there are low numbers of cases, pregnant women are facing a “postcode lottery”.
The charity’s Maria Booker, said “An induction starts labour artificially. Inducing labour means there is a long period at the beginning of the labour where you are not in established labour. It can take anywhere between a few hours to a few days in the worst case scenario. Lots of trusts aren’t allowing partners until you go into established labour. Lots of women are reconsidering induction on that basis, even though that may not be the best thing for them.
Women who have been advised to be induced are saying they don’t want to be induced as their partner can’t be with them. Pregnancy is a worrying time. It is a unique time in people’s lives. It is not the same as going to hospital for other reasons. Women value the support of partners – especially if you are going for a scan and expecting bad news.”
The charity has written to NHS Improvement and NHS England, urging them to rethink visiting constraints in maternity services. England now lags behind Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, where services have become more accommodating towards birthing partners.
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
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