PARTNERS are now allowed to accompany a pregnant mother at an antenatal scan at Basingstoke hospital, after NHS leaders published guidance on the matter.

In April, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), which runs Basingstoke hospital, announced that pregnant women would no longer be allowed to bring a partner to an antenatal scan because of the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Since then, some hospitals have resumed normal services, while others have kept the restrictions in place, resulting in experts calling for a consistent approach.

An online campaign also highlighted that some women were finding out about pregnancy loss at a scan without any support, fathers were missing births, and other birthing partners were not allowed with women during labour.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Rcog) called on the NHS to publish guidance on partners attending births and scans.

The guidance has now been published and sets out how services can resume to some sort of normality while still operating in a safe way during the pandemic.

It advises hospitals to “regularly review” policies and tailor them to take account of risks such as local trends in Covid-19 and the current national pandemic situation.

HHFT is now allowing one partner or support person to attend an ultrasound scan at 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

It states: “Partners must follow social distancing guidelines and wear a face mask at the appointment. They may need to wait outside of the department until called for the examination, due to waiting room capacity.

“At this time partners/support person will not be permitted to attend any other scans, including antenatal clinic appointments with consultants/other medical staff.

“Keeping those in our care, our staff and visitors safe remains our top priority, and we are continually reviewing our visiting guidelines in line with national guidance.”

It is still keeping in place its rule around one birthing partner remaining with a pregnant woman throughout their stay.

Partners have to leave overnight from 8pm to 8am, if the woman is not in established labour.

Women having a planned caesarean section or induction of labour, are asked to self-isolate for 14 days before admission, along with their birthing partner.

For those who won’t know until nearer the planned time, they are asked to self-isolate until admitted to hospital.