PREGNANT people in labour will soon be able to be accompanied by two birthing partners again in Colchester Hospital.

Visiting hours on antenatal and postnatal wards are also being extended in maternity services provided by the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust’s maternity visiting guidance was updated earlier this month to keep expectant parents, babies and staff safe as more pregnant people were in hospital with Covid-19.

However, maternity teams have now announced the visiting restrictions are being relaxed at Colchester Hospital and at the coastal birthing unit at Clacton Hospital.

Gazette:

From Monday, two birthing partners may accompany someone in labour from the point of their admission to the maternity unit.

Furthermore, visiting to antenatal and postnatal wards will be from 8am to 8pm every day for one visitor.

Read more: 'Children were at significant risk' - inspector condemns nursery in report

The trust’s chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control, Giles Thorpe said he is happy to be in a position to relax the rules.

He added: “Restricting visiting in maternity is not a decision we take lightly. We appreciate the impact any decision to tighten restrictions has on our expectant parents and their families, but, as always, our number one priority is to keep everyone safe in our hospitals.

“We will continue to keep all our arrangements in maternity services under regular review so we can continue to provide high-quality, safe care to pregnant people and their babies.”

The chief nurse also encouraged pregnant people to come forward for a Covid vaccination in an attempt to dispel myths about it being dangerous to expectant parents.

He said: “Although we are taking a positive step forward, I’d like to reiterate the importance of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy and urge anyone who is expecting a baby, or planning to have a baby, to take up the offer of a vaccine.

“It is safe and can prevent you from becoming seriously unwell and needing hospital treatment for the virus during pregnancy.”

The trust also stated surgical face masks must still be worn at all appointments in its hospitals to reduce the risk of Covid transmission, unless exempt.