Birth partners will no longer be able to visit antenatal and postnatal wards at NHS Tayside hospitals in bid to protect mothers and newborn babies from the spread of coronavirus.
The health board have taken the decision, which comes into effect today, to further reduce the number of people coming into the hospitals each day.
Partners will still be able to be present during childbirth but any other questions about visiting arrangement should be directed to the midwife in charge of the ward.
Claire Pearce, NHS Tayside’s director of nursing and midwifery, said: “We understand that suspending visiting will impact on families and patients and we know that not being able to visit family members whilst they are in hospital may be upsetting.
“However, this will allow us to keep women and their babies safe and healthy at this time.
“We would like to thank the public for their support and understanding regarding some of the changes which are ongoing in our maternity services at present.
“All our midwives are working very hard and are absolutely committed to continuing to provide a high quality patient-centred maternity service.”
The new restrictions are in addition to the measures introduced by NHS Tayside last week which stipulated that all women in Tayside will give birth at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, either at the Dundee Midwifery Unit or in the Labour Suite.
They also stated that labour and birthing at community maternity units at Perth Royal Infirmary and Arbroath Infirmary are not be available and women who are planning a home birth and are due soon will birth in the Dundee Midwifery Unit,
