We are petitioning for the restoration of our right to partake in video and photography media during the delivery/birth process. As of November 1, 2010, Washington County Hospital, now Meritus Medical Center, implemented a no video/photo policy, which prohibits the rights of families to document the birth of their child/children. Video and photography may not take place until a minimum of five minutes after birth, and only if the physician approves. This policy steals our right to captures the first moments of our child/children's life.
We believe the hospitals rational for implementing this policy is questionable at best and only generates suspicion regarding the trustworthiness of this institution. We are simply requesting that the hospital partner with us in establishing a policy that meets the needs of all stakeholders.
We the undersigned are petitioning for the removal of the current no photo/video policy put into place by your institution on November 1, 2010. Meritus Medical Center claims that the policy was established to protect the safety and privacy of the mother. Yet an interview between Jody Bishop and the Herald-Mail revealed that although approximately 2,000 babies had previously been delivered at Washington County Hospital each year, there are no known incidents of photography and/or videotaping in hospitals delivery interfering with the safety of the mother and/or the child. These two comments do not marry and give the impression of deceptiveness and impropriety. As a new institution, trust and transparency between the hospital and its patients is imperative. The questionable justification for which the policy was implemented only generates suspicion regarding the trustworthiness of this facility.
We the undersigned believe that a common ground agreement should be established. We feel that there are circumstances where the doctors and hospital staff should have the power to stop photography and/or video. However, the complete removal of our media rights within the delivery room is an issue. We in no way would want to put mothers and/or babies at risk. We understand that should a complication occur all photography and videotaping would cease. We are simply asking that the hospital partner with us in establishing a policy that meets the needs of all stakeholders.
