From Monday, June 15, Blackpool Victoria Hospital will be allowing one partner accompany the patient to the 20-week baby scan.
While coronavirus is present within the community it is still necessary to reduce the number of visitors attending the hospital, or accompanying patients for appointments, to lower the number of people in the buildings and lessen face- to-face contact.
Therefore we are still asking mum’s-to-be to attend any of their other scans alone. We will be constantly reviewing the situation and as soon as we can relax these restrictions further we will let you know.
While we are able to allow one partner into the room, unfortunately we cannot allow children to attend at this time. We understand this will be difficult for families but it is important to limit the number of visitors to the hospital to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
You or your partner should not attend the appointment if you, or a member of your household, has any of the following symptoms. Instead please telephone 01253 953624 and speak to one of our staff.
- High Temperature
- New/ Continuous Cough
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Patients and partners will be asked to bring their own face coverings; masks will be available for those who haven’t brought one.
When entering the hospital please enter via the Main Entrance and make your way to White Reception on the ground floor of the Women and Children’s unit. Please check in at the desk when you arrive.
Under normal circumstances we are grateful when you arrive early for appointments; however please can you arrive at the time of your appointment so we are able to ensure safe social distancing.
At the desk you and your partner will be asked if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
In the waiting areas we ask that you continue to observe social distancing and remain two metres apart from other people. Before you enter the room the sonographer will disinfect all the surfaces. They will be wearing a mask, apron and gloves.
When you are called into the scan room you and your partner will be asked to disinfect your hands with alcohol gel before entering the room. During the scan we ask that your partner remains seated and maintains a two meter distance from the sonographer at all times.
The scan cannot be filmed and we ask that any mobile phones are switched off before you enter the room and remain in your pocket or bag. During the scan the sonographer may be quiet whilst they concentrate carrying out their checks but at the end of the scan they will show you your baby.
If you would like to know the gender of baby at the 20-week scan please let the sonographer know, and dependent upon baby’s position they should be able to tell you. Please be aware that we do not write down the gender of your baby
We are not charging for scan photos at this time and are happy to give you two scan photos at the time of your appointment.
The scan team looks forward to welcoming you back to our department.