From Monday 14 June, two birth partners will be welcomed for labour care in Poole’s Haven Delivery Suite and Central Delivery Suite at St Mary's Maternity Hospital. 

Vicky Garner, matron for inpatient services, said: "We’re been working really hard in our maternity teams to provide safe care during the pandemic and we’ve really appreciated your understanding during this time.

"While we still have restrictions in place in terms of visiting, attending appointments etc, we’re really pleased that from Monday 14 June, we’ll be able to have up to two named birth partners to support women during labour. This is thanks to our labour rooms being larger than our communal waiting areas and with en suite facilities, so minimising how much partners need to leave the birthing room.

"We know how important this is to you, so thank you for your patience."

Other visiting restrictions remain in place and all partners / support people accompanying pregnant women to their appointments or visiting the maternity unit may attend subject to a negative lateral flow test (LFD). It is the responsibility of the partner / support person to arrange an LFD test before attending.

In line with national guidance, all pregnant women are also required to take part in the government's twice weekly rapid testing programme before attending the unit for outpatient, community and scan appointments.

Test results should be logged via the NHS app or website as per the instructions in the test kit, and women and their partners should bring their result confirmation with them, not the actual test itself.

Women who need to attend as an emergency should not delay coming into the unit even if they, or their support partner hasn’t had a recent Covid test. We will assist you and make alternative arrangements.

More information about the restrictions can be found at www.uhd.nhs.uk/maternity