Visiting hours have been extended at Lister Hospital's Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit in Stevenage, following feedback from patients and staff.
Visiting hours have been extended until midnight for nominated birth and support partners on both the Dacre Ward, which provides care for antenatal women who require admission during their pregnancy, and the postnatal Gloucester Ward.
"This is to ensure we provide new families with more quality time together in the early hours after birth," said a spokesperson for the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, which runs Lister.
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"Overnight visiting cannot be accommodated and partners will be asked to leave the maternity unit at midnight.
"Support partners are welcome to return to the maternity unit from 9am.
"Whilst the visiting hours have been extended to midnight, we want to ensure any potential disruption for both our staff and those using our services are minimised. As a result, anyone leaving the wards after 10pm will not be able to re-enter the unit, as there will not be a ward clerk on duty."
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The designated birth partner must not change.
Other additional visitors may attend, with the restriction of two at the bedside, between the hours of 2pm and 6pm.
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