The Rotunda maternity hospital says visiting hours for the partners of pregnant women will be extended from Monday.
The Dublin hospital says they'll now be allowed into the hospital from 8am to 8pm each day.
In a statement today, the Rotunda said their policy change is coming into place as a result of a "significant uptake" in vaccination rates among both partners and patients.
They said: "In response to this significant improvement in vaccination rates, effective Monday September 13, 2021, the Rotunda will now be able to extend visiting hours for partners to 08.00am to 08.00pm each day. All other existing access controls to keep all patients safe continue to apply.
"This brings the Rotunda’s visiting arrangements close to pre-pandemic levels and remains vastly more accessible to arrangements that remain at almost all acute general hospitals in the state.
"The Rotunda’s management team will continue to keep these arrangements under regular review, taking all necessary precautions to keep all our patients safe, while making decisions that are evidenced and based on current Infection Prevention and Control guidance."
Restrictions do remain in place for antenatal appointments and early pregnancy scans, with partners unable to attend "due to space constraints".
Linda Kelly from Better Maternity Care says today's news is welcome, but it also raises more questions.
She said: "It's a very welcome move from the Rotunda, and long overdue.
"It highlights a bigger problematic issue, which is why aren't all hospitals now extending their hours? Why are partner restrictions continuing in other maternity hospitals?"
Earlier this week, the hospital faced criticism over its visiting policy, after it was revealed a documentary crew was allowed access for filming while restrictions on partner visits remained in place.
The Health Minister yesterday said the Master of the Rotunda should answer questions regarding The Rotunda TV show.
Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers, who had a baby during the pandemic, said broadcasting the show was just "compounding the hurt many parents feel" when they remember the experiences they've been through.
In a statement released earlier in the week, a spokesperson for the hospital said minimal numbers of crew were on site, and filming in delivery suites took place through cameras operated remotely.
They say management at the Rotunda Hospital decided to proceed with filming as it is an important platform that allows patients and their families to share their pregnancy and birth stories with dignity and respect.
