Maternity services

We would like to reassure pregnant women that safety is our key priority, and we are following the guidance published by the Royal Colleges.

A reminder that anyone with a:

• high temperature
• a loss of, or a change in senses of taste or smell
• new, persistent cough (a cough that won’t go away), please:
• DO NOT attend for your hospital appointment, scan or community midwife appointment. These can be rearranged following self -isolation
• Follow government self-isolation advice www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
• Call the advice line on 01642 624376 for further advice around when you need to attend for an appointment
• Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in pregnancy www.rcog.org.uk
• Message to pregnant women from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/professional-bodies-response-to-government-advice-for-pregnant-women-to-self-isolate/

Please follow advice on these websites, as this will reflect national evidence and the evolving situation. For further information please visit www.rcog.org.uk

• If you have concerns with your pregnancy, please contact the Advice line: 01642 624223/624376

March 2020 – COVID-19 New visiting information:

• For anyone attending a planned antenatal appointment OR attending the maternity assessment unit (MAU): No visitor is permitted to attend with you. No children will be allowed to attend. Please adhere to government social distancing guidance whilst in the waiting area.
• Delivery suite: one birthing partner only. You will not be allowed to swap with another birthing partner. Please bring plenty refreshments for your birthing partner as they will not be permitted to leave the unit for the duration
• Antenatal Patients (Ward 22): No visitors
• Postnatal Patients (Ward 22): Birthing partner only, 10 am to 8pm. Please note partners will no longer be permitted to stay over night

Community Midwifery Antenatal appointments and Postnatal Care:

We will be performing some of your care by telephone consultation to reduce face to face contact to comply with the Governments social distancing and Self-isolation guidance. Your Community Midwifery Teams will contact you before your scheduled antenatal appointments and following delivery to plan your care. Your care will be provided by either a face to face appointment or telephone consultation following the initial telephone triage call by your community midwife.

Temporary Service Suspension:

• Due to the Government guidance of social distancing and self-isolation, we have temporarily suspended all parent education and Breast feeding workshops.
• The Maternity Assessment Unit at Hartlepool will be providing a reduced service, opening, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5 pm. Women concerned about their pregnancy outside of these days should contact the Advice line: 01642 624223/624376

Home Birth:
Due to the current pressure regarding COVID-19 North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust are currently suspending the provision of the home birth service from1 April 2020 in order to ensure that safety of both our staff and the women and families within our care. This will be reviewed regularly and the home birth service reinstated as soon as possible.

Thank you from your maternity team for your support at this challenging time

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