Pregnancy guidance
Last updated: 15 November 2022 at 11:42
Pregnant colleagues who are more than 26 weeks gestation can continue to work until the commencement of their maternity leave if they are in a non-patient facing role, and in most circumstances continue to work in their normal patient-facing role.
We recommend that patient-facing pregnant staff approaching their 26th week, repeat their individual COVID-19 Risk Assessment with their line manager. They should seek help from Occupational Health if the pregnant worker has any significant underlying health conditions, is unvaccinated or there are any concerns with their pregnancy. In some circumstances, following the outcome of an Occupational Health risk assessed review, it may be recommended that a pregnant worker:
- continues working in their role and area using higher level PPE, or
- is restricted to working in COVID-19 low risk areas where the COVID-19 status of the patient is known to be negative, or
- exceptionally, be moved to a non-patient facing role or to working from home
Pregnant colleagues who are less than 26 weeks gestation, and have any significant health problems, are advised to seek advice from Occupational Health on safe working.
Please note: previous COVID-19 advice for pregnant staff, as issued by the Government, HSE, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives, which had restricted colleagues from patient-facing roles, has been withdrawn by those bodies. Arrangements for pregnant staff have now returned to normal practice. UHB’s advice above has been updated in line with that withdrawn advice.
It should be respected that many staff will have levels of anxiousness, ranging from general concern to significant anxiety, about their personal health risks when coming to work, as they may be exposed to a higher level of risk at work than if they were to choose to isolate at home. Staff members’ personal concerns should be taken into consideration when risk assessing work placement and job activities, and where anxiety is a factor, active steps should be taken by the manager and the individual to reduce the level of anxiety.