BOSSES at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) have announced that one support partner for all women attending antenatal appointments and ultrasound scans at hospital sites from are now allowed.

With the support of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils, maternity services users and their chosen support partner can access a lateral flow test prior to attending antenatal and ultrasound scan appointments.

Staff say that the introduction of this testing will enable a chosen support person to accompany women to some appointments while also ensuring the safety of staff and other people using maternity services.

Testing will also allow SaTH to work more quickly towards the full reinstatement of visiting to maternity services.

A spokesman said: "We are pleased to welcome back one support partner for each woman at antenatal appointments within the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Oswestry Maternity Unit (The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) Bridgnorth Midwife Led Unit (Bridgnorth Community Hospital), Ludlow Midwife Led Unit (Ludlow Community Hospital) and Whitchurch Community Hospital.

"[It is for] booking appointments (at around 12 weeks), 16 weeks, 25 weeks, 28 weeks, 31 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks, 40 weeks and 41 weeks.

"Regrettably, support partners cannot currently attend antenatal appointments at GP surgeries; however we are working with GP colleagues and will update on any changes as soon as possible.

"Support partners are not currently able to attend postnatal appointments.

"We are constantly reviewing these restrictions and are working hard to relax them, where possible, as soon as it is safe to do so.

"We would like to thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We will communicate any further changes as soon as we are able to.

"If you have additional needs or require additional support at any appointments, please speak to your midwife."

If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, please contact your named Midwife, or speak to a member of the maternity services team at SaTH.

A list of numbers can be found on the back of your handheld pregnancy records.

You can find more information on pregnancy and coronavirus on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/pregnancy-and-coronavirus/