Your Support Person During Birth

The following details the Ramsay Health Care policy on Support Persons in the Birth Suite is provided for your information.

Policy Statement
Ramsay Health Care respects the rights of clients giving birth at its facilities to have a support person/s of their choosing.

The role of the support person, including off duty hospital staff, are not, and will not be permitted to become involved in the clinical management or conduct of the labour/birth.

A midwife in private practice accompanying a woman in labour is deemed to be a support person and will not be permitted to become involved in the clinical management or conduct of the labour birth.

Outcome statement
Women giving birth at Ramsay Health Care facilities receive support which meets their emotional and psychological needs during labour and birth.

Procedure

Support person/s who fail to adhere to this policy will be asked to leave the birth suite and, if necessary, be removed from hospital premises.

If the duty person who is acting in a support role is requested by the management to commence paid duties following mutual agreement, the staff member will be required to comply with his/her contract of employment.

The numbers of support persons present in the birth suite will be at the discretion of the midwifery team and treating medical practitioner, taking into account the patient’s clinical condition, safety, privacy and choice.

Thank you for your attention to this information.