Donnelly said that he has been in “very close contact with the HSE” on the situation.
Every hospital in Ireland will have the same rules for partners attending maternity services by the end of today, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, Donnelly said that a number of recent incidents where partners were not allowed enter the maternity unit during miscarriages were “absolutely heart-breaking.”
Last month, Donnelly instructed the HSE to contact all 19 maternity units and tell them NPHET advice is that visits should happen “at a minimum” for 30 minutes per day, throughout labour, during the 20-week scan and during neonatal intensive care.
On Monday, he said that 16 maternity units were fully compliant with the rules by the end of last week and the other three will be fully compliant by the end of Monday.
He said new rules governing miscarriages and other emergency situations are being drawn up this week, however, it may be three or four weeks before they’re rolled out across the country.
“The plan is, in the coming weeks, so we are only talking three or four weeks. The plan is, in the coming weeks, the emergency visits will be facilitated,” he said.
Donnelly said that he has been in “very close contact with the HSE” on the situation.
“They are very aware and we are acting on it. The emergency situation is being looked at this week and a full plan is being drawn up. All six of the maternity networks around the country are involved,” he added,
“Just to this heart-breaking situation that Jim found himself in, the plan will be put in place to restore that. The plan will be in place this week and then in the coming weeks that is going to be rolled out across the country.”
He continued: “It doesn’t always feel like it when you can’t get in or if you are in there and your partner can’t come in to support you, but ultimately, they are looking to keep mums and babies safe.”
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