To ask the Minister of Health to detail the current and forthcoming rules for fathers or birthing partners to attend neonatal scans and appointments along with their pregnant partner.

My Department published updated visiting guidance for maternity services (available here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/Covid-19-visiting-guidance), which took effect from 23 September 2020.

The decision to permit visitors into a facility on a day to day basis remains with the midwife in charge, and will be based on a risk assessment of the ability to ensure safety of patients, staff and the visitor. However, the expectation as set out in the current visiting restrictions is that:

“Birth partners will be facilitated to accompany the pregnant woman to dating scan, early pregnancy clinic, anomaly scan, in the event of pregnancy loss and bereavement, Fetal Medicine Department, when admitted to individual room for active labour (to be determined by midwife) and birth and, to visit in antenatal and postnatal wards for up to one hour once a week.”

While my officials keep the guidance under review, in line with the best available scientific and medical evidence, no significant changes are currently anticipated.