Sarah Courtney,Minister for Health
The health, wellbeing and safety of all Tasmanians is the Government’s number one priority as we continue through the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know that hospital visit restrictions have been really hard for many Tasmanians, so I am pleased the Hospital Visitor Policy has now been further updated to allow two support persons to attend during labour and birth.
This change means women in labour can now have an additional important person in the room, whether that be a friend, partner, parent, other family member or other support such as a doula.
We want women in labour to feel as relaxed and supported as possible, so letting an additional person in the room can make a huge difference to their birthing experience.
In addition to our amazing midwives and nursing staff, doulas provide care for women and families before, during and after birth, and offer guidance and information as well as physical and emotional support.
There will also be an increase for palliative care patients from two visitors to four visitors at one time. If the patient is in the terminal phase of care, discretion on visitor numbers will be used by the Nurse Unit Managers.
Overnight stays are also permitted where the local facility is able to accommodate the request, although this is currently limited to one person per patient. Pets may also able to visit palliative care patients where appropriate.
I thank Tasmanians for their incredible efforts and patience – it is only because of your early sacrifices to flatten the COVID-19 curve that we are now able to further lift restrictions.
It is so important Tasmanians have access to the best possible support during these critical life-changing events.
