It’s been a difficult time for new parents.

But new rules on visiting hours coming into effect today will provide some extra peace of mind for anyone expecting a new arrival in the coming weeks.

With effect from today, Tuesday, October 19th, 2021 at CUMH, partners are welcome to attend early pregnancy scans, the 12-week scan (booking scan), the anatomy scan (between 21 and 26 weeks) and when the patient is in established labour.

Partners can remain on the ward with the mother post-delivery for one hour, and inpatient visiting hours are now unrestricted from 7am to 11pm every day.

In the neonatal unit and high dependency unit, parents can both attend separately, with unrestricted visiting times.

Partners are also welcome to attend in “any other situation where there is reason to anticipate that the visit is likely to be associated with particular stress or to involve communication of particular emotional significance.”

“Inpatient visiting applies to nominated partner/visitor only. CUMH requires all nominated visitors to follow the visiting link to self-schedule daily visits to allow COVID-19 screening to be completed (We cannot facilitate children visiting at this time).” said a spokesperson.

The nominated visitor receives a text link prior to their visit and completes the COVID-19 screening questionnaire securely online. On completion they will receive a barcode, enabling fast track entry at the CUMH hospital entrance.