The Health Service Executive has said it is working with maternity units to help them comply with guidelines allowing partners to accompany pregnant women in certain circumstances.
The HSE's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry today said he is "hopeful of compliance in the coming week". The HSE earlier confirmed that not all of the country's 19 maternity units are allowing the recommended access to partners.
Seven of these units are only partially compliant with the guidelines permitting partners to accompany women with high risk pregnancies to routine visits.
Four of the units are only partially compliant allowing partners to accompany women presenting at emergency departments in the late stage of their pregnancies.