"Update policy prohibiting partner staying overnight"

I think it's time that KEMH's policy be changed to allow partners to stay overnight. It is my understanding that this came into effect a number of years ago during the SARS outbreak and has stayed in place for resourcing and safety reasons. I understand that there may be risks and costs involved with extra people in hospital with the mother and baby, but I strongly believe that the benefits to families outweighs this.

In 2022, this policy seems fundamentally discriminatory against the spouse/partner. I believe it is detrimental to the mental health of both parents to be separated, particularly after a traumatic birth (in our case, pre-term labour). It also means that the partner misses out on that initial bonding time with their baby. I urge KEMH to reconsider how to better support families by allowing partners to stay at least the first night. In current planning for the new women's and children's hospital, I think the State Government should absolutely be making provision for partners to be staying.