HEALTH chiefs at Leighton Hospital have revealed they have lifted a ban on partners attending scans and being bedside during birth.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan, says he sought clarification from the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust as part of a national campaign which highlighted some trusts are still imposing restrictions on partners despite advice from the government to loosen them.

Earlier this month the MP co-signed Alicia Kearns MP's letter to the chairs and chief executives of NHS Trusts requesting the restrictions on pregnant women and their partners were eased.

They were introduced during the coronavirus lockdown, but health ministers have since told NHS Trusts that women should be allowed to have a partner with them for labour and antenatal scans.

Some NHS Trusts have continued to restrict partners, but the MP says he has had a response from the trust which says partners can be present when women are using the Early Pregnancy Unit at Leighton, at fetal medicine appointments and at the initial anomaly scan appointment.

He was also assured that women can be accompanied by one birth partner when they attend for induction, an elective section or are in confirmed labour.

Dr Mullan said: "I have heard from a number of constituents who have been affected by restrictions on maternity partners which has meant pregnant women have had to go to scans and give birth alone.

"I was pleased to hear that Leighton hospital are allowing partners to attend antenatal scans and birth. I have since asked about allowing partners to be present on site even if there isn't room in clinic rooms.

"It would be incredibly hard for a pregnant woman to be alone in the hospital when receiving difficult news about their pregnancy.

"I hope that these restrictions will be lifted by hospital trusts, so no-one has to face pregnancy or childbirth alone."