Support partners can access maternity areas during visiting hours from Nov 1st

Over 1,200 Kildare dads took paternity leave in 2018. Picture: file photo via Pixabay

placeholder image — Over 1,200 Kildare dads took paternity leave in 2018. Picture: file photo via Pixabay

The HSE has confirmed all maternity services can provide access to inpatient areas for support partners during normal visiting hours from November 1st.

Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid made the announcement during a press conference today.

He said, "I'd particularly like to thank on behalf of the HSE the women and their partners for their support and patience of working with us through this difficult and challenging time."

Multiple groups have criticised the HSE's maternity restrictions throughout the pandemic, particularly the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services, who started an online campaign to end the restrictions with the hashtag #WhoseNeedsAreBeingMet.