KGH allows partners to visit maternity wards, but NGH makes no changes

Birth partners will be able to visit mothers at KGH from today (Saturday, June 27) for two hours a day in addition to the actual birth.

KGH announced the change yesterday (Friday) and said: "Following a review of environment, equipment and risk, and in line with guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RCOG we are relaxing when birth partners can be on the ward.

"From Saturday, June 27, they will now be able to accompany their partners at their bedside on the ward between 2pm to 4pm.

"This is in addition to the actual birth."

Those visiting will be screened for Covid-19.

While KGH has revised its maternity visiting, NGH has not.

In a statement yesterday, NGH said: "We know that Kettering General Hospital have today announced changes to their maternity visiting arrangements.

"We wanted to let you know that at the current time Northampton General Hospital are not making any changes to our visiting arrangements at this time.

"We know this is disappointing for our patients, however this is a decision we must take to keep our patients safe in line with national guidance.

"We are always reviewing this decision and when we have any updates about maternity visiting or any other visiting arrangements at NGH we will let you know."

KGH is also continuing to review its visiting arrangements across the whole Trust and said: "It is planned revised visiting arrangements will be in place by Saturday, July 4."

NGH did not provide a date for planned revisions but said: "Thank you for your patience and please bear with us as we all adjust to a new way of doing things."