Support partners of women attending maternity services will be allowed access to in-patient areas in all maternity services from 1 November.
The updated guidance issued today from the Health Service Executive states access will be allowed during normal visiting hours of 8am to 9pm.
It said maternity hospitals and the HSE remain committed to facilitating the support partner of a woman attending for antenatal care or childbirth, to be present to the "greatest extent possible".
Under the updated guidelines, partners should be able to attend the 12 and 20-week scans, early pregnancy assessment units, unscheduled attendance including attendance at emergency services and other antenatal appointments that are likely to involve communication that