ALMOST 10,000 obstetric appointments were held virtually this year despite coronavirus restrictions being eased, the Glasgow Times can reveal.

From January to September, the most recent figures available, 100,565 meetings were held across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) including consultant and midwife appointments, as well as return antenatal visits.

While the majority of the sessions – 90,987 – took place face-to-face, thousands of new mums and pregnant women were treated virtually.

Statistics show 678 appointments were made via telephone, while a further 8900 meetings were conducted via video-link through channels such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

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It comes as much of the country was beginning to fully re-open for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic first hit last March, with the likes of nightclubs and soft play centres opening their doors for the first time this summer.

It’s understood health boards relied on risk assessment to determine which patients would be seen virtually for appointments such as the booking visit – a woman’s first meeting with the midwifery team while in the early weeks of the pregnancy.

While other meetings for issues such as pelvic girdle pain had been moved to a group video call between medical staff and a small number of patients.

Restrictions have, however, began to ease with changes made in August allowing partners to attend more appointments and increased visiting allowances in Glasgow hospital wards.

It’s unclear at this stage what, if any, changes will occur for new parents and mums-to-be due to the threat of the Omicron variant which is currently sweeping the nation.

Charity Birthrights has said it’s vital that governments throughout the UK continue to prioritise both the physical and mental health of women, including taking all appropriate measures to allow physical access to medical staff and in-person support from friends and family, both prior to and after the birth of their child.

Maria Booker, programmes director for Birthrights, said: “As coronavirus cases rise again, maternity providers must learn the lessons of the trauma already caused, and ensure that pregnant women and birthing people can choose how and where they give birth, surrounded by companions of their choice and that they are treated with dignity and compassion.

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“The mental health of a coronavirus generation of young families is at stake.”

The Glasgow Times approached the Scottish Government for comment.

Both the Government and the health board have previously insisted they were committed to helping women feel safe and supportive throughout their pregnancies and beyond.