Currently in NSW both parents cannot see their baby after they are moved from birthing to a neonatal or maternity ward. As it now stands the mother can have a support person in the birthing ward during birth but as soon as the mother and baby are transferred to the neonatal or maternity ward the other parent is not permitted to visit due to covid restrictions.

Mum's and their full term babies can often return home within just a few days of giving birth but in the case of premature birth the baby can be in hospital for weeks/months.

NSW health has a blanket rule of no visitors. There is no avenue for a father/parent to visit their partner and newly born baby. They can't have a negative RAT test and visit. They can't have a negative PCR test whilst isolating and visit. Regardless of vaccination status they cannot visit. The midwives do not have to have a negative RAT test to work in the wards. The midwives can interact with fathers/parents in the birthing ward and move between birthing, neonatal and maternity wards yet a father/parent can't visit the neonatal or maternity ward.

Stopping a parent who is covid negative from seeing their newly born baby is a human rights issue. The negative effect on both parent's mental health is enormous.

Parent's of babies in these wards call on NSW health to make a way to allow both parents to have contact with their baby. Even if it means parents paying for a RAT or having a PCR and isolating prior to a visit. Parents would do anything to have contact with their babies and we ask NSW health to make a pathway which allows this.