Question from Deputy Tom Brabazon - PQ 45306-26

To ask the Minister for Health if her Department or the HSE has assessed the impact of restrictions preventing partners or chosen support persons from staying overnight with women after childbirth (including the impact on postnatal anxiety, postnatal depression, breastfeeding, dignity, safety and maternal wellbeing; whether she considers blanket overnight restrictions in maternity hospitals or postnatal wards to be acceptable; whether exceptions will be considered in cases including private rooms, caesarean sections, traumatic births, anxiety, breastfeeding difficulties, mobility issues or other clinical or emotional support needs; ); and whether her Department will consider introducing a national standard for family centred postnatal care, including overnight partner or chosen support person access where requested by the mother and where clinically appropriate.