Illness & Infection Prevention Policy

Léa Morris Postnatal Doula

1. Keeping Families Safe

Because I work closely with newborns and families in their homes, I take illness and infection prevention seriously.

My aim is to reduce the risk of passing infections between myself and the families I support, while recognising that illness can be unpredictable during the postnatal period.

2. When I Won’t Attend

I will not attend a home visit if I am experiencing symptoms that could reasonably indicate a contagious illness, including:

Fever or feeling significantly unwell.
Vomiting or diarrhoea.
A significant respiratory infection, particularly where symptoms are worsening.
A known contagious illness.
Other symptoms where attending could reasonably put a newborn or family at risk.

I will let you know as soon as possible and, where practical, arrange an alternative visit.

If I need to cancel due to my own illness, you will not be charged for the cancelled visit.

3. If You or Your Baby Are Unwell

Please let me know if you, your baby or someone in your household is unwell before I visit.

You are always welcome to cancel or reschedule a visit because you or your baby are unwell. You will never need to feel guilty about doing so.

I will use reasonable discretion around cancellation charges where illness is involved, particularly where you have given me as much notice as possible.

For vomiting or diarrhoea, I would generally ask that we wait until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped before having an in-person visit.

For other contagious illnesses, we can discuss the circumstances and decide whether postponing the visit is safest.

4. Newborn Precautions

Newborn babies can be particularly vulnerable to infections.

During visits I will:

Wash or sanitise my hands before handling your baby.
Wash my hands after using the bathroom and when appropriate throughout the visit.
Avoid visiting when I am unwell or potentially contagious.
Avoid unnecessary contact with your baby’s face, particularly kissing.
Cover coughs and sneezes appropriately.
Follow any reasonable hygiene measures requested by your family.

I will never kiss your baby without your explicit permission.

5. Food Preparation

If I prepare food for your family, I will follow appropriate food hygiene practices, including:

Washing my hands before preparing food.
Keeping food preparation areas clean.
Following safe food storage and handling practices.
Taking reasonable care to avoid cross-contamination.
Following any allergies or dietary requirements you have communicated to me.

6. PPE

I may wear appropriate PPE, such as a face covering or gloves, where there is a reasonable infection-control reason to do so or where requested by the family.

I will follow current public health guidance where specific precautions are recommended.

7. Communication

If you are unsure whether an illness means we should postpone a visit, please just ask.

I would always rather you tell me that you or your baby are unwell and we rearrange the visit than you feel pressured to have me attend.

There is no need to feel guilty about cancelling because someone is ill. Protecting your baby, your family and myself is more important than keeping an appointment.

Contact

If you have questions about this Illness & Infection Prevention Policy, please contact:

Léa Morris Postnatal Doula

Name: Léa Morris

Email: leamorrisdoula@gmail.com

Telephone: 07888472653

Policy effective from: 04.09.26

Policy review date: 04.09.27