Gender Equity Victoria and members of its Women's Health Services Council, are pleased that the Government has clarified that there is no limit on the attendance of partners at maternity hospitals following the birth of children as a strategy to limit hospital infections during pandemic.

No limit will be placed on the time expectant mothers and their partners will be able to bond with their babies post birth, reducing stress and anxiety on new parents. However, visitation will be limited to one person per day for a two hour time period thereafter in a further strategy within the Victorian hospital system to safeguard patients from the risk of COVID19 infection.

"We have seen that the COVID19 pandemic is a gendered problem, impacting on women in many ways – from their physical and mental health and financial wellbeing. Women present routinely to hospitals and medical clinics during pregnancy and birth, posing an increased of exposure to the virus when there are large community outbreaks."  said Gender Equity Victoria CEO, Tanja Kovac.

During the Ebola crisis in Africa, the infant and maternal mortality rate rose sharply as expectant parents avoided hospitals, choosing to birth at home and away from sites of infection.

"We have already seen that women are staying away from health services because of COVID19 with alarming reductions in breast cancer screening and a reduction in the numbers of premature babies. It's important that women have confidence in the safety of the health system and that means a delicate balance between ensuring parents are present during the birth and early days of a child's life, while also limiting opportunities for the COVID19 infection in maternity wards" said Ms Tricia Currie, Chair of the Women's Health Services Council

"Protecting women's health during COVID19 is essential and we welcome initiatives to protect maternity services, sexual and reproductive health and specialist mental health supports for women at this difficult time"  said Ms Dianne Hill, CEO of Women's Health Victoria "Women are calling our service with concerns about birthing within hospitals due to COVID19 so strong and certain rules that keep women safe while reducing potential risk to mental health through access to support structures is essential."

–ENDS

Full media release [PDF: 606KB]

MEDIA ENQUIRIES.  Tanja Kovac, CEO GEN VIC, Ph. Mob 0419 910 577, genvic@genvic.org.au