We were not treated as parents, Covid inquiry told

Covid Inquiry Hears Harrowing Accounts: "We Were Not Treated as Parents"

The UK's Covid-19 inquiry has been told of the profound and often traumatic impact of rigid restrictions placed on birthing wards during the pandemic, with one mother of premature twins speaking out about feeling dehumanised and excluded from her babies' critical early care. The testimony paints a stark picture of a system that, in its haste to contain the virus, seemingly overlooked the fundamental needs of new parents and their vulnerable newborns.

Premature Twins, Premature Separation: A Mother's Ordeal

Sarah*, a mother whose twins were born significantly prematurely during the height of the pandemic, delivered a powerful and emotional account to the inquiry. She described how stringent visitor policies meant she was effectively separated from her sons for extended periods, even as they fought for survival in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). "We were not treated as parents," she stated, her voice trembling with emotion. "We were treated as potential vectors of infection. Our role, our instinct to be there, to comfort, to bond – it was all stripped away."

The restrictions, designed to protect both patients and staff from the highly contagious virus, meant that often only one parent was allowed to be present at any given time, and even then, with severely limited visiting hours and strict protocols. For Sarah, this meant enduring agonizing days where she could only see her babies through a window or for brief, supervised visits. The emotional toll was immense. "Every time I had to leave them, it felt like I was abandoning them," she explained. "How can you bond with your child when you can't hold them, when you can't be there for every cry, every milestone, even the scary moments?"

The inquiry is examining the government's response to the pandemic, and this testimony highlights a critical area where the human cost of policy decisions is being laid bare. While the imperative to protect lives is undeniable, the question now being raised is whether the measures implemented were proportionate and whether the mental and emotional well-being of families was sufficiently considered. Was there a better way? Could a balance have been struck? These are the difficult questions the inquiry must grapple with.

The Invisible Scars of Pandemic Parenting

Sarah's experience is not unique. Numerous parents have shared similar stories of isolation, anxiety, and a profound sense of loss during a period that should have been filled with joy and bonding. The lack of immediate skin-to-skin contact, the inability to have a birth partner present throughout labour, and the severe restrictions on postnatal wards created a breeding ground for parental distress.

The impact on infant development and maternal mental health is a growing concern, with experts warning of potential long-term consequences. Dr. Eleanor Vance, a child psychologist who has been observing the proceedings, commented, "The early weeks and months of a baby's life are crucial for attachment and development. When parents are systematically excluded or their access is severely limited, it can create significant emotional barriers. This can lead to increased rates of postnatal depression, anxiety, and difficulties in parent-infant bonding, which can have ripple effects for years to come."

The inquiry heard that the fear of contracting Covid-19 was palpable, but it was compounded by the fear of not being able to be there for her babies when they needed her most. "The nurses and doctors were doing their best, I know that," Sarah conceded. "But the policies themselves… they felt so inflexible. It felt like we were just numbers, not parents going through one of the most vulnerable times of our lives." She recounted instances where she felt her concerns as a mother were dismissed, and her presence was viewed as a potential risk rather than an essential element of her children's care.

A Call for Empathy and a Re-evaluation of Policy

The testimony from Sarah and others is a powerful indictment of the rigid adherence to policies that, while perhaps well-intentioned, had devastating human consequences. The Covid-19 inquiry is not just about examining data and decision-making processes; it is also about listening to the lived experiences of those most affected.

The core of Sarah's message is a plea for empathy and a recognition that parents are not merely visitors but integral members of the care team, especially in the delicate and critical early stages of life. "We were there because we had to be, for our babies," she emphasized. "But we were treated as outsiders. We were not allowed to be the parents we were meant to be."

As the inquiry continues, it is hoped that these deeply personal accounts will lead to a thorough re-evaluation of how healthcare systems respond to future crises. The lessons learned from this period must inform policies that prioritize not only public health but also the fundamental human need for connection, family presence, and parental involvement, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our society – our newborns.

The question remains: how can we ensure that in the pursuit of safety, we don't inadvertently create a different kind of harm? The voices of parents like Sarah are crucial in answering that question, ensuring that the experiences of the pandemic inform a more compassionate and human-centred approach to healthcare for generations to come. The trauma, the fear, the missed moments – these are the invisible scars that many families carry, and the inquiry provides a vital platform for these stories to be heard and understood.

The impact on maternal mental health cannot be overstated. The isolation experienced by new mothers during lockdown, coupled with the inability to have their partners present during birth and the subsequent restrictions on visiting their babies, has been linked to significant increases in anxiety and postnatal depression. This testimony serves as a stark reminder that the pandemic's effects extend far beyond the immediate physical threat of the virus.

The call for a more flexible and family-centred approach to hospital visiting policies in future public health emergencies is clear. The evidence presented suggests that a blanket approach may not always be the most appropriate, and that a nuanced understanding of the needs of families, particularly those with vulnerable newborns, is essential. The inquiry's findings will undoubtedly be scrutinised for their recommendations on how to better support families during times of crisis, ensuring that no parent feels like an outsider in their own child's life.