See below letter that I co-signed with my Green Party Seanad colleagues regarding COVID 19 maternity restrictions. Sent by email 13.08.2021
Dear Minister Donnelly,
We, the undersigned Green Party Senators, are contacting you regarding the COVID-19 related restrictions as they currently apply to maternity services nationwide.
We trust you share our view that this is a very important matter for women’s health, both physical and emotional. We are aware that thanks to your efforts and to the efforts of many at all service levels of the HSE, there have been important moves forward in developing guidelines and encouraging universal compliance to these. However, where there are any restrictions on accompaniment there will be women left alone and anxious.
We believe that the successful rollout of Digital Covid Certificates allows for a further move forward to full and universal accompaniment of pregnant and postpartum people by their chosen partner throughout all maternity services, these partners to provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result.
We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing a clear roadmap for full accompaniment, in all maternity units, as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Senator Roisín Garvey
Senator Pippa Hackett
Senator Vincent P Martin
Senator Pauline O’Reilly
