After careful consideration of the current COVID-19 situation, health facility restrictions have been eased in the ACT to allow visitors in certain circumstances.
Please note, whether you are COVID-positive or a close contact we will provide a plan for your safe care within our hospital. Our arrangements are as follows:
Women in labour or women having a planned caesarean birth
Women admitted for care related to birthing can have two support people, however, only one support person may attend the operating theatre for caesarean section.
If you are in labour or are having a planned caesarean birth, please call us before coming to the hospital. We will ask you some screening questions to ensure everyone’s safety when you attend. Your handheld maternity record has the number to call on the back.
Please be assured we will not turn you away for any reason, but we may need to take extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
If you have COVID-19, we will not turn you away, we are here to support you as usual.
We have a dedicated birthing room midwife that will be allocated to your care. Our team will be wearing full protective equipment (PPE).
If you have COVID-19 you will be required to wear a mask during labour. This is to protect you, your support person, and our staff. Your support person will also need to wear a mask.
Women admitted for pregnancy concerns but are not in labour
You will be allowed two support people per day, but only one support person at any one time.
In exceptional circumstances, such as perinatal loss, two support people can attend at any one time.
Women admitted for Gynaecology concerns
Women admitted for gynaecological care can have two support people per day, but only one support person at any one time.
Coming to hospital for ante-natal or gynaecological appointments
We ask that you attend your outpatient antenatal or gynaecological appointment with one support person.
This includes:
- Antenatal
- Fetal Medicine Unit
- Gynaecology outpatient visits and
- Visits to the Maternity Assessment Unit.
We are still offering maternity appointments as usual. We can offer you a telehealth appointment if you prefer not to attend your appointment in person. Please let us know.
If you have an appointment but are in self-isolation/quarantine, please call us so we can assess you and discuss plans for your ongoing care.
You will be required to wear a mask while at the hospital, including during the appointment and in the waiting room. We will provide you with a surgical mask on arrival.
Postnatal care
Once you are home, a Midcall Midwife will contact you daily to discuss any concerns. They will then arrange to see you face to face in your home, dependent on your needs.
We ask that only the mother and baby are in the room when we visit your home.
Our staff will wear a mask when we visit you at home. We will also ask the mother to wear a mask.
Paediatric care
For admitted babies, children and young people (0-17 years), both parents or carers can attend. Only one parent or carer can stay overnight.
If both parents are isolating, then the family can nominate another two visitors. The parents/guardians/visitors must wear a mask.
Paediatric Outpatients
Children and young people attending paediatric outpatients can have both parents or carers attend. Only one parent or carer can accompany the child or young person in the consult room.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery
For patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or the Special Care Nursery (SCN), two parents/carers can attend at a time.
If both parents/carers are isolating, you can nominate two other visitors. You will need to notify staff of your request for another visitor during your isolation.
Attending appointments in Community facilities
We are continuing to offer services for women, children, and families in community facilities, including community health centres, child health clinics and the child and family centres. Some services may be provided or offered by phone or via telehealth.
If you are attending an appointment in a community facility in person, for example, to get your child immunised or for a developmental check, only one parent or carer may accompany the child to the appointment. As a young baby and parent/carer is considered one person, a second person may attend the appointment if it is necessary. No other children may be brought to the appointment.
If you have an older child and need a support person to attend the appointment with you an exemption may be considered.