NHS Tayside is to offer pregnant women the option to give birth at home from next week as it moves into the next phase of easing lockdown restrictions.
From next Monday mums-to-be will be able to choose between Dundee Midwifery Unit or the Labour Suite at Ninewells Hospital, or elect for a home birth.
Lead midwife, Lesley Sharkey, said they were delighted to be able to offer the option again.
“The safety of women and their babies is our main priority and we will ensure that we will be adhering to all government guidance surrounding Covid-19,” she said.
“This is the first stage of maternity services within Tayside returning to normal. We are continuing to review our other suspended services on a regular basis.”
Sharkey added: “Our midwives are continuing to work hard and are absolutely committed to continuing to provide a high quality patient-centred maternity service.”
All women will be assessed for Covid-19 in their homes and only one birth partner can be present during labour and birth in the home.
Labour and birthing at community maternity units at Perth Royal Infirmary and Arbroath Infirmary will remain temporarily suspended.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here