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COVID-19 update

This information is correct as of 9 November 2020

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) we have introduced restrictions guided by NHS England to maintain the safety of all mothers and babies, this includes being able to ensure we can maintain social distancing in our waiting areas, appointment and delivery rooms. Please see the details below. We have also put together a frequently asked questions page to help with any queries you might have.

We understand this is a difficult time for expectant mothers and families. We will continue to keep this guidance under careful review, in line with the national advice from the Chief Midwifery Officer for England to ensure everyone's safety. If you have any questions please speak to your midwife.

Read our press release on the latest update.

Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. 

 

Scans at St Michael's Hospital and Ashcombe Birth Centre (Weston):

You will be able to attend your 12 week scan with one non-symptomatic adult from the same household or support bubble (ideally the birth partner). For all other scan appointments please attend alone. If you believe that you have additional needs that need to be taken into account please contact the Matron by calling switchboard on 0117 923 0000. Further details about scan appointments can be found on the  FAQs page.

You will both need to wear a mask or face covering and please use the hand gel at all entrances and exits. Please do not attend if you have symptoms of COVID-19.


Labour and birth at St Michael's Hospital

  • A nominated non-symptomatic birthing partner is allowed to be with you during labour and the birth. If you give birth on the midwife led unit or central delivery suite and you and your baby are able to go home within 2-3 hours after giving birth, your partner will be able to stay with you until you and your baby leave. 
  • If you are being induced on the ward and go into labour, your birthing partner will be called and invited to support you before you are transferred to the delivery suite.
  • If your baby needs to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), non-symptomatic parents can visit - two parents to the ICU rooms and one parent at a time in the HDU and SCBU rooms.

If you have any questions or additional needs that need to be taken into account please speak to the Matron or your community midwife who will be happy to discuss this with you.

 

Labour and birth at Ashcombe Birth Centre (Weston)

  • A nominated non-symptomatic birthing partner is allowed to be with you during labour and the birth. If you and your baby are able to go home within 2-3 hours after giving birth, your partner will be able to stay with you until you and your baby leave.

If you have any questions or additional needs that need to be taken into account please speak to the matron or your community midwife who will be happy to discuss this with you. 

 

Appointments at St Michael's Hospital

  • You can be accompanied by one non-symptomatic person (ideally the birth partner) for your 12 week scan. For additional routine scans please attend the appointment on your own. If you believe that you have additional needs that need to be taken into account please contact the Matron by calling switchboard on 0117 923 0000. Further details about scan appointments can be found on the FAQs page.
  • For fetal medicine and early pregnancy clinic appointments you can be accompanied by one non-symptomatic person.
  • Consultant antenatal appointments and scans will continue as usual. Please attend these appointments on your own. Women will be offered telephone appointments where clinically appropriate.
  • Children are not allowed in clinic or on the wards.
  • Community midwifery clinics and home visits are still running as necessary; women are being assessed and only essential face-to-face visits are being undertaken.
  • We regret that we're unable to offer antenatal classes or tours of the unit at the current time.

 

Appointments at Aschombe Birth Centre (Weston)

  • You can be accompanied by one non-symptomatic person (ideally the birth partner) for your 12 week scan. For additional routine scans please attend the appointment on your own. If you believe that you have additional needs that need to be taken into account please contact the matron by calling switchboard on 0117 923 0000.
  • For early pregnancy clinic appointments you can be accompanied by one non-symptomatic person.
  • Consultant antenatal appointments and scans will continue as usual. Please attend these appointments on your own. Women will be offered telephone appointments where clinically appropriate.
  • Children are not allowed in clinic or on the wards.
  • Community midwifery clinics and home visits are still running as necessary; women are being assessed and only essential face-to-face visits are being undertaken.
  • We regret that we're unable to offer antenatal classes or tours of the unit at the current time.

These measures have been put in place to protect our patients, staff and visitors, which includes being able to ensure we can maintain social distancing in our waiting areas, appointment and delivery rooms. We will continue to keep this guidance under review.

 

Visiting for maternity patients at St Michael's Hospital

From Thursday 5 November no visitors will be allowed on the maternity wards at St Michael's Hospital.

If you believe that you have additional needs that need to be taken into account please contact the matron or your community midwife who will be happy to discuss this with you.

Once transferred to the postnatal ward, free WiFi is available to everyone so patients can make phone or video calls to their family and friends using apps including Facetime, WhatsApp or Skype and mobile reception is available across our site. Please be aware that we do not allow any video calling, photographs or recordings to be carried out during scan appointments due to the concentration required by the sonographer.

If you have any questions, please contact your midwife on the matron by calling switchboard on 0117 923 0000.


Patient Laura has also shared her experience of giving birth at the hospital during the restrictions in  this video.

This animation sets out what pregnant women should expect from NHS maternity services during the coronavirus. Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer, and Dr Matthew Jolly, National Clinical Director for Maternity for the NHS in England explain what might change and why it is important to keep in touch with your maternity team.

 

National Advice Video

Click here to view the video

NHS Volunteer Responders scheme

The  NHS Volunteer Responders scheme is open to all pregnant people, not just those who are shielding or vulnerable.    

Volunteer responders can help with picking up shopping or prescriptions, lifts to/from hospital and health appointments. Call 0808 196 3646 or visit their  website for more details.