Resolution reached on Lyell McEwin Hospital’s partners ban, Marshall says

A hospital Covid policy banning dads from maternity wards until “active labour” has been watered down after thousands voiced their outrage, the Premier says.

Rules banning fathers from a northern Adelaide hospital’s birthing suite have been watered down after tens and thousands of people joined calls to dump the policy.

Premier Steven Marshall said on Thursday partners could now enter the Lyell McEwin Hospital’s maternity ward and be present for the induction of labour.

“I’m pleased that there’s been a sensible resolution to the issues at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in the maternity area there,” Mr Marshall said.

“It is an area that we know has a lower level vaccination than much of the rest of the state but I think we’ve reached a sensible compromise out there at the moment.

“There will still be some restrictions, but I think this is a sensible outcome.”

It comes after Mr Marshall said on Wednesday he was unhappy with the rule where support people cannot be with a pregnant woman until she reaches active labour, or when the cervix dilates past 4cm.

The partners also had to leave the hospitals four hours later and not return until discharge.

Mr Marshall ordered an urgent review following calls from opposition leader Peter Malinauskas.

A statement released by the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network said the safety of mothers and babies is of “paramount importance” and guided amendments.

Under the previous restrictions, the partner must also leave the hospital four hours post birth and cannot return until discharge.

Karlee Mutch, 25, with partner Luke Brander and daughter Evie are desperate for rules at the Lyell McEwin maternity ward to be overturned.

The Lyell McEwin Hospital has rules in place limiting the amount of people in the delivery room. AAP Image/Russell Millard

Mr Marshall asked SA Health to review the situation Wednesday.

“I’m not really pleased with the setting that has been put in place … they seem pretty harsh,” Mr Marshall said.

“I cannot imagine not being at a partner’s side at such an important time in their lives.”

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas said the rule must be changed so families can enjoy precious first moments together.

“Child birth can be a stressful time in normal circumstances, but if the mother is left on her own, this can only add to the stress,” he said.

It comes as more than 22,000 people signed a change.org petition to change rules, that clinicians implemented, at the Elizabeth Vale hospital.

Karlee Mutch, who is 35 weeks pregnant, is due to give birth at the Lyell McEwin Hospital and signed the petition.

She said she is distressed by the current rules because she had a traumatic experience delivering her daughter, Evie, two years ago.

More than 22,000 people had signed the petition by Wednesday afternoon.

Evie was born with a punctured lung and rushed into special care, while she lost more than 1.3L of blood during labour.

“I had my partner and mum there during the birth of Evie and the actual birth went downhill really fast … she wasn’t breathing and needed to be resuscitated,” Ms Mutch said.

Tegan Tonkin started a petition to have rules about birthing conditions at the Lyell McEwin Hospital changed.

“Not having my partner Luke there would not be good because I suffer from extreme anxiety (since Evie’s) birth … it is so unfair because we are giving birth then having to start off without our partners and support.”

Petition organiser and doula Tegan Tonkin said she had spoken to many upset women about the rule.

“At the very least, women should be able to have at least one support person the entire time they are in hospital without restrictions,” Ms Tonkin said.

A Northern Adelaide Local Health Network spokeswoman said the restrictions were put in place to limit Covid-19 spread as it reaches its peak.

“These restrictions are to protect the health and safety of parents and new babies in our care, particularly while the northern suburbs has relatively low vaccination rates and high incidence of COVID-19,” she said.

“Physical distancing requirements, patient flow, and the location and size of the maternity units at LMH means we need to limit visitors at this time.”