Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of NHS trusts have covid-19 restrictions in place for birth partners attending maternity appointments and scans as at 1 December 2020.

Data on the number of National Health Service trusts with COVID-19 restrictions in place for birth partners attending maternity appointments and scans is not held centrally.

Restrictions on visitors are subject to local discretion by trusts and other NHS bodies. The Department expects trusts to use the guidance in place to support access for partners, visitors and other supporters of pregnant women in English maternity services.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are assured that 100% of trusts report that they are actively using the guidance as they make local decisions on visiting restrictions, based on a risk assessment.