The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin has opted to extend visiting hours for maternity partners.
The restrictions will ease to allow twice as much access for nominated companions on weekdays and weekends.
Master of the Rotunda, Professor Fergal Malone, told Newstalk Breakfast infection rates have been falling.
"We've been monitoring the incidence of COVID infection amongst our patients for some time now - and we've noted that thankfully the incidence seems to be falling significantly.
"This is mirroring what we're seeing in the general community. So based on that, we're gradually easing the restrictions on partner visiting.
"We're doubling the visiting in the evenings, from 4pm till 8pm in the evening, and longer on the weekends from 1pm till 8pm.
"And by doing this we're going to be hopefully able to get partners in for a longer time without, hopefully, compromising any infection control standards".
'Patients feel safe'
Prof Malone said this would also be the case for other classes of patients.
"It will include anti-natal wards, post-natal wards and indeed for our gynecology patients.
"So any of our in-patients in the hospital at the moment will have a much improved visiting options".
And he said the feedback they have received is that patients felt safe at the hospital.
"We've had a huge amount of significantly positive feedback from patients who felt safe, who feel safe when they come into the Rotunda.
"They realise that we take infection control seriously.
"Patients, on the one hand, have been most appreciative of the sense of safety and security - on the other hand, we're very sensitive to the fact that patients need support from their companions".
He added that those who enter the hospital are screened for symptoms, and face coverings must be worn.
'Maternity risk assessment'
Dr Krysia Lynch is chairperson for the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS) Ireland.
She said she welcomes the changes, but that all hospitals need to be examined with a risk assessment.
"Fantastic news, we're really excited to hear that some of the restrictions are being eased.
"But I guess one of the things that comes to mind is that how do we know that it's OK, and how do the hospital managers know that it's OK?
"We've heard Fergal speak there, and obviously he's speaking on behalf of the Rotunda, but there are 19 maternity units in Ireland.
"And one of the things that's never been released is any kind of formal evidence-based, transparent risk assessment.
"And that risk assessment, once it's in place, enables it to be audited and that's something that we've not seen."
Dr Lynch added this could be an issue for those in early labour.
"The one thing that remains utterly unaddressed is coming in in early labour.
"It's very difficult to judge when exactly are you in that active labour phase that gives you access to a birthing room with a partner?
"It's so difficult to judge, and so many people come in, they come in a little bit early.
"They come in to an anti-natal ward in a pre-labour ward, where there is no access - and the Rotunda are not enabling that access, as far as we know, and nor is any other hospital.
"Visiting is quite different to accompanying somebody in labour - certainly that's not happening in any other hospital, and people are finding that incredibly difficult".
