DADS are now allowed to support mums and babies at night as well as during the day thanks to a new scheme that encourages partners to stay overnight after the birth of their baby.

The new facility, on ward 21 at Airedale Hospital, near Steeton, was introduced in response to requests from parents, which led the midwifery team to look into supplying temporary beds for dads on the unit so they could stay in hospital with their new baby after the birth.

Supported by one of the hospital’s charities, Friends of Airedale, the maternity team were able to buy temporary folding beds for side rooms on the ward so that partners could stay over.

Val Henson, ward manager on the maternity unit at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “Having a new baby is a special experience for both parents and many dads felt they were missing out when they had to leave at night.

“We’ve had a great response to the new facility from both mums and dads.”