CONCERNED people in Kerry have been urged to sign a petition calling for removal of restrictions that deny fathers and partners the right to attend maternity services with their pregnant partners.
The Uplift campaigning platform has already secured close to 58,000 signatures from people who have joined forces to lobby for better maternity care during Covid-19.
“Pregnant women and people are reeling from the news that the continued separation from partners during maternity appointments, inductions, full labour and in patient stays is set to continue,” said campaigner and new mum Linda Kelly.
“You can get your hair cut, play sport with an entire team of people and visit a museum but you can’t have your partner with you during one of the most momentous and sometimes traumatic experiences you could possibly face. It is utterly appalling,” she said.
“Why are maternity services – an essential, planned health service – not being priortised?” she asked.
The campaign team members said they were led to believe that positive changes were to be announced and that a more consistent and uniform approach would be applied in maternity units and hospitals.
“Instead of clarity, however, pregnant women are now left with even more questions and confusion because of the botched communications and half promises made over the past few days,” the campaigners stated.
Uplift is a people-powered community of over 340,000 people involving hundreds of people taking small actions together to help build a more equal, sustainable and just Ireland.
To sign the petition go to https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/lift-restrictions-on-maternity-care
