Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has welcomed the easing of visiting restrictions for expectant parents at University Hospital Galway.
Pregnant women may now be accompanied by a partner at anomaly scans, while partners are allowed to visit St. Catherine’s Ward and St. Angela’s Ward from 7pm to 8pm.
Visiting time by fathers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has also been increased to 30 minutes.
The Sinn Féin TD said that this was the compassionate decision to make and that it was with relief that many pregnant women in the Galway area welcomed the news.
“Several pregnant women have contacted me over the past number of months telling me how distressing and isolating this experience has been and how much they missed the support of their partners at such appointment,” said Deputy Farrell.
“I have heard some very distressing stories from expectant parents where partners were waiting in the car park at GUH while the pregnant woman was alone in the hospital at times hearing very upsetting news.
“I had been in contact with management at Galway University Hospital over the last number of weeks as a result and am pleased that this decision has been taken.”
