NHS Lanarkshire’s maternity services will introduce new visiting arrangements from Monday 13 July.

From this date, one designated visitor can accompany women for pregnancy scans. The scan waiting area is very small and can only accommodate the women attending scan and day assessment appointments. Physical distancing measures in place will mean that the designated visitor will be required to wait in the outside corridor until the woman is taken through for her consultation. Staff will ensure that the designated visitor is informed when they can enter the scan department. The visitor will be asked to wear a face mask at all times.

Women and their birth partner can identify one other additional person to be present at the birth, for example, additional support from a family member or a doula. Partners accompanying women in childbirth must wear face masks where a two metre distance cannot be maintained.

Women can have an additional one designated visitor identified to visit in the postnatal ward in addition to their birth partner. The designated visitor will be restricted to a visit of 45 minutes which must be arranged by appointment with the ward area.

Physical distancing and hand hygiene measures will be in place to limit the risk of transmitting the virus. These include not bringing presents such as flowers or balloons into the hospital.