This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Allow partners to fully attend maternity appointments during the pandemic.
The Government should allow all partners to attend any maternity appointments for their unborn child during the pandemic and be there to support their partners at all stages of labour. Face coverings and social distancing could still be maintained to minimise any risk of COVID transmission.
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An unborn child is as much the father's responsibility as its mothers. It is only right that they should be present at all appointments & get the opportunity to see their child for the first time on any scans, find out its gender & be there in the event of any unfortunate news. Mothers need support during labour & partners should be allowed to be them from as soon as they are admitted into hospital, not just once they are 5cm dilated. Face coverings & social distancing could still be maintained.
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not directly responsible for.
Decisions about visitors are a matter for the NHS, not the Government or House of Commons.
With regard to antenatal appointments, scans, and the birth itself, on 5 June, the NHS’s suspension of hospital visiting was lifted. This means that visiting is now subject to local discretion by trusts and other NHS bodies. You should check with your maternity team and sonography unit for their policy on visitors attending antenatal appointments, including scans.
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