We welcome a support person to stay overnight on the maternity ward, so that you can take part in supporting your partner and in some cases learning to care for your new baby. We recognise that this can help with the family bonding and reduce anxiety and stress among mothers. The decision to stay overnight is entirely up to you. We would recommend that if you are overtired or have existing health problems you do not stay overnight.

Please can you help us by following this guidance to make your stay and that of our other families as comfortable and enjoyable.

Please note:

If you or your visitors have an illness or have been in contact with anyone with illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or flu/cold like symptoms, please do not visit. Speak to the midwife in charge.

Anyone who is perceived to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to stay. Children are not permitted to stay overnight

  • For the security and safety of our new mums and babies, we are a ‘locked unit’, we would appreciate it if movement on and off the ward is kept to a minimum.
  • If the fire alarm rings, please follow instructions given by ward staff. Do not attempt to leave the ward. If you find or suspect a fire, raise the alarm with a member of staff immediately or activate the break glass point nearest to you and await instruction from staff.
  • Do not take your baby out of the ward area at any time. We need to ensure that babies stay with the mothers at all times.
  • Remember to put your baby in the cot on their back after feeds, nappy change or a cuddle.
  • Please do not walk around corridors or sleep with the baby in your arms or in the chair/bed.
  • Please remain FULLY CLOTHED, wear shoes/slippers (non-slip) and kindly do not walk around in bare or stocking feet.
  • We request that you do not wander around the ward at night. Not all women will have a supporter to stay and may find strangers wandering around uncomfortable or possibly threatening.
  • If there is an emergency involving your partner or baby that requires immediate medical attention, please stay calm and let staff do what they need to do. In this instance it would be helpful to stay in the background until the emergency situation is over. A member of staff will provide information and support following the emergency.
  • If there are any concerns for the physical safety of mothers and babies, or staff on the ward, the Security Team will be called to assist at any time.
  • We reserve the right to decline permission for partners or companions to stay on the ward at any time if there are significant concerns that will compromise the safety of mothers, babies and staff on duty.
  • Blackpool Teaching Hospitals operates a Zero Tolerance Policy on violent, disruptive, aggressive behaviour. It is a criminal offence to cause a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises.
  • We reserve the right to ask partners or visitors to leave at any time. Failing to leave will result in you committing an offence under section 119 & 120 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. Failure to comply with a request to leave may result in criminal prosecution.
  • We are only able to provide the bedside chair for you to sleep in overnight, unfortunately we cannot provide blankets and pillows.
  • To help us to maintain the privacy, dignity and safety of other families and staff please do not lay on the floor

You are asked to clean hands on entrance and exit to the ward areas.

  • Please do not sleep in the beds with your partners. The beds are not designed or safe for two people and any damage will have to be paid for. Women/babies are more at risk of developing infections following birth. You may also be more at risk of picking up an infection on the ward.
  • Please use the hand gel or wash your hands before and after you help care for mother or baby.
  • Bins are available – black lidded bins are for general waste and yellow lidded bins are for soiled waste and babies’ nappies, these are emptied frequently by staff.

  • Partners/companions are advised to keep fully dressed while on the ward. We wish to preserve the dignity and privacy required by everyone present including staff members.
  • Please keep noise levels down, and do not use mobile phones or handheld devices that are noisy at night time and after 22.00hrs until 08.00hrs. This will help facilitate sleep and rest for the mothers and babies.

  • Storage is very limited on the wards within the bays, please do not bring large bags keeping essentials to a minimum.
  • Please keep bed space tidy and the floor free from clutter.
  • Unfortunately, we cannot currently provide shower or bathing facilities. We do have a visitor toilet for you to use and this is located on the main corridor.
  • There are hot and cold drinks available in the kitchen throughout the day and night. Please help yourself!

Please support your partner whenever you are here, little things such as, making drinks, collecting meals, refreshing water jugs, and helping to care for your baby with nappy changes and support around feeding, can make a huge difference.

The staff on the ward can be busy and must prioritise the care they give, so if you are able to assist with small tasks this will be greatly appreciated, and make you feel more involved. Please be patient if you require extra assistance at nighttime. Do alert a member of staff if help is required urgently, via the call buzzer, or verbally by yourself at the desk.

If you have any concerns or worries regarding your partners or babies’ welfare, please ask to speak with the midwife in charge or the ward Manager. Thank you for your support is moving our services forward.