Pathway to ending maternity restrictions required
Labour leader and health spokesperson Alan Kelly has urged Government to resolve the ongoing issue of maternity restrictions. Speaking today, Deptuy Kelly said partners are essential to support and advocate for mothers throughout pregnant.
Deputy Kelly said:
“Maternity restrictions have been a constant issue throughout the pandemic. The Rotunda’s claim that too few pregnant people and partners are not vaccinated does not hold up. More and more people vaccinated and this has not been an issue raised by any other maternity hospital.
“What’s missing is a clear and consistent approach to this and a pathway to better maternity care from Government. We need to look at a range of options to get partners into maternity hospitals at all stages of pregnancy. This should include vaccine certs and antigen testing.
“Pregnancy is one of the most special times in a person’s life, but it can also be the most devastating. Partners aren’t just an add on. Partners are there to advocate for the mother and question medical decisions. They play a fundamental role in pregnancy and the delivery of a healthy baby.
“Some women have had to go through devastating and deeply traumatic experiences alone. It’s unfair when we have ways to resolve it. The government can’t keep washing their hands of this.”