Visiting Restrictions - Important COVID-19 Update

The safety of our mums and newborn babies is our highest priority. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, as part of our Infection Prevention and Control strategy, we need to implement a strict visiting policy to help prevent transmission and safeguard those we care for. The restrictions at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals have been implemented due to the increased incidence of COVID-19 in our local community. We appreciate your support and understanding with these measures.

• Read the current visiting restrictions

Important Announcement Regarding Homebirth Services

The maternity team at Ashford and St Peters Hospitals are absolutely committed to providing high quality safe care to our mothers and babies. In light of the current Covid-19 situation and nationwide lock-down, it is with our deepest regret that we have had to take the decision to pause the homebirth service.

This has been an incredibly difficult decision as we have been making good progress with our plans for developing the service which we now need to pause. To help you understand how we came to this difficult decision we have considered the following:

• The ambulance service is under considerable pressure, and a timely response to calls for transfer to the maternity unit in an emergency cannot be guaranteed.
• Our midwifery staff numbers are reduced due to many staff being unwell and self-isolating, along with the unprecedented clinical demands on the NHS as a whole

We fully understand that this will be disappointing news for those who were planning a homebirth in the near future. We welcome all women currently booked for a homebirth to attend the Abbey Birth Centre which has a beautiful home from home environment. Our primary concern is to be able to provide you with safe care at all times and we just cannot currently do this at home because of the reasons above.

We will be implementing this pause with immediate effect, and we will be review this decision on a very regular basis taking into account national lock-down restrictions, freedom of movement, emergency response capacity and staffing levels.

We would encourage you to discuss any concerns with your community midwife, our wonderful MVP are also here to support you at this difficult time.

Gemma Puckett, Head of Midwifery
James Thomas, Divisional Director Women’s and Children’s

#helpushelpyou

We would like to assure you that the Maternity Unit will remain open throughout this time and it is important that you attend your check ups and appointments. We would encourage you to seek advice or care if you are concerned about your own wellbeing or that of your baby.

Please speak to a member of the maternity team or call the pregnancy advice line on 0300 123 5473.

For further information, please see here.

Useful Resources

Please read our COVID-19 webpages to find out more information:

• Visiting the Early Pregnancy Unit
  Please could all patients, however they are referred, call EPU on 01932 722662 before you come to the unit and certainly before you enter the Abbey Wing building.
   
• Advice for Pregnant Women
  If you or a member of your family or household has a new continuous cough or high temperature, please do not attend the maternity unit or antenatal appointment.
   
• Maternity Visiting Restrictions
  Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus we need to implement a strict visiting policy in order to safeguard our mums and newborn babies, we appreciate your support and understanding with these measures.
    
• Breastfeeding Your Baby During COVID-19
  There is a wealth of evidence that breastmilk and breastfeeding reduces the risk of babies developing infectious diseases. Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed directly whenever possible and maximise the amount of breastmilk they are able to provide. At present, there is no evidence that Covid-19 is transmitted through breastmilk. Infection can be spread to the baby in the same way as to anyone else.
   
• Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop
  Our antenatal breastfeeding workshop is back up and running from the comfort of your own home. Join our virtual breastfeeding class on Thursday evenings 7-9pm. Recommended for couples who are around 34 weeks pregnant.
   

COVID-19 Screening

At St. Peter’s Hospital our priority is to keep you and your baby safe.

In line with NHS England and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommendations we are now offering a swab to screen for COVID-19 to all women who are admitted into the Maternity unit, regardless of symptoms.

This is to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals. Please access the information leaflet which is available here and on the Badgernet portal.

From 7th September, we are extending our COVID-19 testing to include birth partners of women who are having planned caesarean sections. This is to minimise the infection risk within our theatres. Birth partners will need to self isolate following their test until the time of admission. They will be tested at the same time their partner attend their pre-op appointment in Maternity Day Assessment Unit.

• Download our leaflet: Screening for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection