Jo Swinson MP visited the RUH this week to talk with midwives about a new policy that will allow dads-to-be to receive statutory time off to allow them to attend antenatal appointments.
The changes are the most recent in a long line of parent-friendly policies the Liberal Democrats have been pushing forward in Government, and a step up from their previous flagship policy of allowing parents to share leave after the birth of their child however they see fit.
Steve Bradley, the Liberal Democrat Candidate to succeed Don Foster as MP for Bath met the Liberal Democrat Minister for Women and Equalities, Jo Swinson, before she visited the hospital to discuss the policy changes.
Steve said: “This change will give a greater level of freedom to parents, and allow both partners in a relationship to be more involved in their baby.
“I’m pleased that the Liberal Democrats are giving local parents more choice and more freedom.”
MP for Bath Don Foster said: “Steve Bradley and I met with a group of local Bath mums on Wednesday morning, and we spoke about the changes to parental leave.
“I’ve had Bath mums tell me that they wish they and their husbands could have had more freedom to choose how to manage childcare at the very start. With their next child, they can!”
Health Spokesperson on the Council Simon Allen said: “We’re very lucky to have wonderful staff in the Maternity Unit at the RUH that work so hard and with such dedication for parents in our area.
“It’s no wonder to me that the Minister chose to speak to our expert midwives here about these changes for parents.”