Women are suffering the trauma of miscarriage alone because of coronavirus restrictions, warns Sheffield MP

Current rules on hospital visitors say women who have lost a baby must attend their scans and after care appointments without their partner or family.

But Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake says the potentially long-lasting damage to women's mental health far outweighs the danger of Covid-19 transmission.

She has written to Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock asking him to review the support arrangements.

Ms Blake says: "As part of the public health measures, hospitals have rightly instituted rules for visitors in order to limit the potential exposure of patients and staff to Covid-19.

"However, the blanket application of these regulations has had a deeply damaging effect on people who have lost a pregnancy.

"To lose a pregnancy is a deeply traumatising event for a woman, their partner and their families.

"To ask someone to go through this devastating process on their own, and in emergency circumstances, with no support from a loved one or a friend risks making an emotionally difficult situation even worse."

Ms Blake says areas involving women's health are often "Cinderella services" which don't get proper attention.

She adds: "I was also concerned to hear the experiences of my constituents about the clinical support post-miscarriage and the unforeseen health risks this is creating, particularly regarding molar miscarriages.

"While it is important we do all we can to halt the spread of coronavirus in hospitals, it is also vital that all patients receive humane treatment and appropriate pastoral care.

"I am urging you to review the guidance on hospital visitors to ensure that those who lose a pregnancy can be accompanied by a partner, friend or family."

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