Harrogate District Hospital has announced visitors will be allowed on maternity wards with immediate effect.
Previously, the coronavirus outbreak meant only birthing partners could be with women during the birth, with no other visitors allowed. However from this afternoon, delivery suites are allowing one birthing partner can stay during labour and delivery up until women are discharged or transferred from delivery suite.
Once the patient is transferred to the Pannal maternity ward, they will be allocated a time in the day for the birth partner to visit. This will be limited to one hour between either 11am-12pm or 3pm-4pm.
At present children are still not allowed on the wards.
Safety measures will remain in place, for example the 2 metre social distancing is expected during the visit and around the hospital. Anyone visiting the hospital can also expect to sanitise their hands on arrival and wear a mask, provided by the hospital.
The hospital is advising visitors to not touch their mask once applied or remove in the corridors, communal areas and when visiting on the ward.
The new visiting restrictions are likely to be greatly appreciated by patients and expectant parents in the district.
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There have been no changes to ultrasound appointments and women are still required to attend these alone – but this is under constant review by professionals.