AIMS welcomes the new 'Framework to assist NHS trusts to reintroduce access for partners, visitors and other supporters of pregnant women in English maternity services'.
AIMS hopes that this Framework will encourage and help Trusts to find ways of quickly removing restrictions on women being supported by a partner or other supporter at all hospital antenatal appointments and scans, throughout labour and birth, and during their postnatal stay in hospital.
Although many Trusts seem to be acting on this guidance and exploring innovative solutions, we are sad that we are still hearing from enquiries on the AIMS Helpline that some maternity services appear to be making no move to remove restrictions on supporters. AIMS hopes that all Trusts will take action and learn from other services that have successfully overcome the obstacles they face .
Where the Framework is being used effectively - in a way which commands the confidence of local service users - AIMS would expect to see an open and transparent decision-making process, including service users and with full disclosure of the basis for local decisions.
If you are being affected personally by Birth Partner restrictions please see our Template Letters
We hope that this page is of interest, especially to our colleagues in the maternity services improvement community.
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AIMS supports all maternity service users to navigate the system as it exists, and campaigns for a system which truly meets the needs of all.