Maternity Services
Assurances to our pregnant women in the second phase of lockdown
We know that the announcement of the second phase of lockdown, could cause anxiety for some of pregnant women and their partners. Please be assured that we will continue to support partners attending scans and births during this time.
To do this, Maternity and Gynaecology services have created space within their ward areas to accommodate both Covid negative women (those with no symptoms or from asymptomatic households/contact) and Covid positive or women suspected of having Covid (those with symptoms, from symptomatic households or who have had confirmation by swab).
Women will be signposted to the appropriate area on the ward upon admission or during their stay in the Rockingham Wing.
It is vitally important that our maternity and gynaecology services are notified if a woman or he birth partner have any Covid related symptoms prior to admission. We respectfully ask that this is done in all cases to protect other patients and staff. Regrettably for reasons of safety any partners from symptomatic households will not be able to attend and should self-isolate as directed by Government instructions.
We will continue to screen all persons entering the Rockingham Wing for symptoms of Covid, including temperature checking.
From Thursday 4th November 2020 your birth partner or partner attending your scan appointment will have to be from your household or social bubble.
Important information: The use of face coverings and gloves when coming to into hospital
People infected with COVID-19 can have very mild or no respiratory symptoms (asymptomatic) and can transmit the virus to others without being aware of it.
Following recommend recommendations from the World Health organisation, and in line with UK government guidance, we're introducing new measures at KGH to keep visitors, patients and staff safe. From Monday 15 June 2020 you will need to wear a face covering at all times inside our hospital. Find out more
Please remove your gloves - Good hand hygiene is one of the keys to defeating Coronavirus
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If you are wearing gloves when attending our clinics you will be asked to remove them
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We will ask that you wash your hands with soap or sanitiser
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You may sanitise your hands and reapply your gloves before you leave
Maternity leaflets to help you during the Coronavirus pandemic
Revised arrangements for Birth Partners
Changes to our regulations for pregnant women and their birth partner.
Changes to initial assessments from Saturday, 1 August 2020:
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When a woman is first admitted, partners will be able to attend with them for the initial assessment
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Partners will be asked to follow specific rules to ensure social distancing. Partners like women, will have their temperature and symptom checked upon arrival
Changes to scan appointments from Monday, 3 August 2020:
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Partners will be able to attend scan appointments, however space in our waiting room is limited to allow for social distancing
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If no seating in the waiting room is available; a bleeper will be given and you and your partner will be asked to wait outside/in your car. When space is available or the scan appointment is due to begin we will bleep you to return
There is no change to visiting hours for your birth partner. Partners can be at the bedside on the ward between 2.00 - 6.00pm.
Please note: These change do not apply to antenatal appointments.
Changes to the way we are working during Coronavirus
As a consequence of the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we have needed to implement some changes to the way we are working, and how we provide your care to you, in order to keep you, other families and our staff as safe as possible. Please be assured that the safety of you and your baby is of paramount importance to us, and therefore all changes have been made after reviewing the best and most recent guidance from Public Health England and the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.
It is really important that you continue to read Government advice, as the picture is very fluid and changing frequently as new information is learnt about Covid-19. The guidance we offer you is therefore open to change on a frequent basis. The most current information can be found online from the Royal College of Obstetricians.
All members of the maternity services team within the community and the hospital are keeping their knowledge regarding guidance for pregnancy care during the pandemic very current, so if you have any questions about your care, please discuss them with your midwife or obstetrician.
It remains really important that if you have any concerns during your pregnancy (such as stomach pains, bleeding, reduced/changed movements) you don’t hesitate in contacting our Delivery Suite. You should also contact the Delivery Suite if you feel your labour has started. The midwives will be able to guide you as to when to come into hospital.
We understand that you may be worried about the impact of coronavirus on your pregnancy and your access to healthcare and have therefore provided information videos relating to aspects of your pregnancy and birth to enhance the information verbally provided to you by the midwifery team.
We would like to reassure you that we will continue to provide you with the best care and support during these unprecedented times.