Good news for birth partners who would like to attend the maternity unit at University Hospitals Dorset – from today two will be allowed into the delivery suites at Poole. The hospital says it is able to further relax some of the restrictions around people attending and will now welcome up to two named birth partners to support women during labour. Other visiting restrictions remain in place and all partners/support people accompanying pregnant women to their appointments or visiting the maternity unit may attend subject to a negative lateral flow test (LFD). All pregnant women are also required to take part in the government s twice weekly rapid testing programme before attending the unit for outpatient, community and scan appointments.